Aquarevo Water Recycling Plant

• A letter was mailed to Aquarevo Estate residents announcing the Aquarevo WRP project award.
• Project team held a community drop in session on the 12th December 2024.
• Minor investigative works were completed late-December. 

• The Aquarevo WRP project was awarded to Hydroflux Epco.
• Ministerial event to announce the Project being awarded.

• Project news mailed to Aquarevo Estate residents and emailed to 'Have Your Say' survey respondents.

• The 'Have Your Say' survey went live.

Aquarevo is a unique collaboration between South East Water and Villawood Properties to create what’s on track to become Australia’s most water efficient urban housing development. Located in Lyndhurst, south east of Melbourne, each Aquarevo home will be plumbed to harness three sources of water (drinking, recycled and rainwater), which is expected to reduce drinking water use by up to 70 per cent on each property

Currently recycled water is being supplied to homes in Aquarevo by Melbourne Water’s Eastern Treatment Plant. As part of the Aquarevo development, we’re now preparing to construct a water recycling plant in the estate to recycle wastewater to Class A standard and send it back to each Aquarevo home for use in the garden, toilet and washing machine. The recycled water will also be used to irrigate nature strips and waterway reserves within the estate.

Recycled water is wastewater that has been purified to produce high quality water that is suitable for a range of non-drinking purposes. Class A recycled water is the highest quality recycled water available.  More information is available here.

No. The recycled water being provided to Aquarevo homes can be used for toilet flushing, gardens, washing cars and washing machines. It is not suitable for drinking.

Wastewater will be treated at the WRP using an Organica Food Chain Reactor (FCR) called a "Bluehouse" and will be the first of its kind in Australia. This state-of-the-art treatment process combines natural and artificial root environments to provide a highly robust and energy efficient treatment process with a low carbon footprint. For more information see the diagram overleaf or contact the Aquarevo WRP project team on 1800 055 465

Suitable local native plants will be used as part of the treatment process.

The wastewater flows through a series of reactors made from the natural root system of the plants. These reactors allow distinct ecosystems to flourish and treat the wastewater.

The planting will be native perennials, so replacement is not required. With optimal growing conditions within the greenhouse the maintenance of plants will involve periodic pruning.

The Organica Food Chain Reactor is widely used in over 50 sites worldwide including Europe, Asia and more recently Canada. This will be the first of its kind in Australia.

The WRP will be housed within a greenhouse that’s designed to look like a natural garden and blend into the landscape. More information on the design will be available once the detailed design phase is completed at the end of 2024.

Once the plant is operational we will work with the local community to determine how the open space around the WRP can benefit the community. We expect this to be late 2026.

No. The water recycling plant will be locked at all times. Residents and community groups will be able to apply to South East Water for a tour of the facility by contacting the Aquarevo project team on 1800 055 465

South East Water must adhere to the Environment Protection Authority requirements which state that there can be no noticeable odour outside the greenhouse.

Once construction is complete there will be no noticeable noise in line with the guidelines set out by the Environment Protection Authority.