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Home > Environment > Waste Water
Wastewater consists of water returned to sewers from household toilets, sinks, showers and washing machines. Added to it is wastewater from some industrial processes, such as washdown of vehicle bays.
The aim of wastewater treatment is to reduce pollutants in the wastewater to very low levels and minimise environmental impacts. Treatment is achieved by a number of different processes. These include lagoons, chemically assisted sedimentation, and the activated sludge process. Effluent is the term given to treated wastewater.
Subject to the provisions of Section 74 of the Water Act, the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Environment grants Power and Water a Waste Discharge License (WDL) for selected wastewater treatment and discharge facilities. The WDL codifies operational practice for the management of waste discharges from the facility.
Recycled water is effluent that has gone through an additional treatment process. Recycled water is used on a limited basis in Darwin, Pine Creek, Katherine, and Alice Springs. However, the demand for recycled water from large irrigation customers is increasing. Benefits include the potential to reduce watering costs and potable water use, and extend watering during dry periods. Recycled water can be reused for watering public sports playing fields, golf courses, tree lots, pastures and public areas.
All recycled water used in the Northern Territory is in accordance with the National Health and Medical Research Council Guidelines for recycled water and is also subject to approval by the Department of Health and Community Services.