Demonstration, the solution to successful community acceptance of water recycling

The Department of Natural Resources in Queensland, Australia are presently carrying out a comprehensive Strategy called the Queensland Water Recycling Strategy (QWRS) to determine future Government directions in the whole area of water recycling. This strategy is considering the beneficial use of all waste streams such as domestic sewage, industrial and agricultural wastes, as well as urban stormwater. Following a workshop held during the initial phase of the strategy it was determined that a high priority must be given to the demonstration of recycling practices not being utilised in the State, or presently being practiced in an unsustainable manner. Three separate types of recycling projects are being carried out, the first being based on demonstrating recycling on a large new urban development close to Brisbane, the second associated with demonstrating the complex treatment processes associated with the higher levels of recycling, and the third associated with demonstrating community based recycling schemes.