Low Carbon Australia has certified Western Water’s Class A Recycled Water Plant in Melton, north-west of Melbourne as carbon neutral.

 

Low Carbon Australia’s CEO Meg McDonald said the Melton plant’s biogas cogeneration facility, which began operating in 2010, uses methane emissions generated from the water recycling process to power the Class A Recycled Water Plant’s operations.

 

"The plant has been able to reduce its total carbon footprint by just under 75 per cent through cogeneration. It has then purchased offsets approved under the Australian Governments National Carbon Offset Standard to achieve carbon neutrality," she said.

 

Western Water’s Managing Director John Wilkinson said Western Water was committed to reducing its carbon footprint and adapting to climate change in a way that was socially, environmentally and economically sustainable.

 

"For us, gaining carbon neutral recognition has been an important step towards a sustainable future," he said.

 

The Class A recycled water is used in Eynesbury for domestic uses other than drinking including toilets, garden watering and car washing. It has helped reduce the pressure on drinking quality water. The planned suburb of Toolern will also receive recycled water from the Melton Plant through a dual-reticulation system.

 

The Class A recycled water is also accessible for fire fighting.