Service difficulties
and emergency
service: 13 20 90
Recycled Water and Your Health
Recycled water has many purposes. It can be used for flushing toilets, washing cars and watering gardens. It can also be used for fire-fighting and for some construction purposes.
However, recycled water is not appropriate for personal use such as drinking, bathing, cooking or general cleaning inside the home. It should also not be used on crops that are eaten raw or unprocessed. If you are uncertain whether to use recycled water or drinking water for any purpose, use the drinking water supply.
Don't drink recycled water
It's important NOT to drink recycled water. If you do accidentally drink it, don't panic. The chances of illness are very low.
Risk of illness is higher for people who are immune deficient (such as dialysis patients).
Don't use recycled water in pools and kids' play areas
Children should NOT play with recycled water. Similarly, pools must be filled from a drinking water tap.
Wash your hands and cover open cuts
Recycled water meets very strict guidelines. As a safety precaution normal hygiene procedures should be followed such as washing your hands after using recycled water or covering open cuts before gardening.
Use normal drinking water for your pets
Recycled water is not for drinking and although dogs sometimes drink all sorts of things without harm, we do not recommend that you use recycled water for your pets. Once again if you are not sure, it is best to use drinking water.
Advise visitors that you use recycled water
It is the responsibility of the homeowner to ensure that visitors are aware of the proper uses for recycled water. This also applies to people working on your property. This is known as having a 'duty of care' towards your visitors. We recommend that particular care is taken when there are children on your premises.