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3.2.14 Recycled Water Storage

This section details the Recycled Water Storage (RWS) tanks used for wet-weather storage and future reuse of Class A treated effluent. Based on the LBC OWMS O&M Manual V1.1.

Overview

After treatment, disinfection, and microfiltration, effluent is stored in a series of recycled water storage tanks before irrigation or reuse. The RWS system provides buffering capacity during wet weather when subsurface irrigation is not possible.

Tank Specifications

Item Detail
Quantity 4 tanks
Capacity 27,000 L each
Total Storage 108,000 L
Type Above-ground polyethylene
Manufacturer Duratanks NT
Siting Four tanks on a shared concrete pad; PVC interconnects at the base

Four 27,000 L recycled water storage tanks at the WWTP

Show on Map

Recycled Water Return Valve

A metal ball valve on the tank-base outlet isolates stored Class A recycled water returning from the RWS tanks into the WWTP distribution system.

Item Detail
Location Outlet at the base of the RWS tanks
Type LOGI VALVE metal ball valve (AS 4617)
Function Controls flow of recycled water from storage back into the system
Open Green handle in line with the pipe
Handle (when not in use) Removed and kept in the WWTP system control room so the valve cannot be tampered with

Anti-Tamper — Handle Removed

When the recycled water return valve is not being used, the handle is taken off and stored in the WWTP control room. Fit the handle only for authorised operation, then remove it again afterward.

RWS tank-base valve controlling recycled water returning into the system

Fire Fighting and Irrigation Outlets

Two lilac (recycled-water) outlets at the base of the RWS tanks. Signage on the tank: RECYCLED WATER / AVOID CONTACT / NOT SUITABLE FOR DRINKING.

Outlet Detail
Fire fighting (larger lilac pipe) Ball valve with coupling for fire-service connection (e.g. Storz-style). Handle may be removed when not required — same anti-tamper practice as the return valve
Irrigation (smaller lilac pipe) Ball valve feeding a gravity main down to the front of the property for irrigation of gardens and lawns

RWS tank-base outlets — fire fighting (left) and gravity irrigation to front gardens/lawns (right) (2026-10-28)

Gravity Irrigation

Class A recycled water from the RWS tanks can supply front-of-property gardens and lawns by gravity through the smaller lilac outlet. This is separate from the subsurface LAA dripline system — see 3.2.8 Effluent Disposal.

Storage Capacity

At peak design flow of 37,800–38,800 L/day, the 108,000 L storage provides approximately 2.7–2.8 days of storage.

Distribution Logic

When the daily maximum discharge volume (default 28,600 L) is reached between midnight and 11:59 pm:

  • The N/O solenoid valve closes, preventing further discharge to the LAA
  • The N/C solenoid valve opens, diverting excess treated effluent to the RWS tanks
  • At midnight, the daily discharge volume resets and solenoids return to normal states

Those solenoids, and the manual LAA isolation valves, are on the control-room distribution manifold. Volume is counted from the 50 mm mechanical flow meter (one pulse per 1,000 L).

Reuse

Class A recycled water stored in the RWS tanks is used or planned for:

Use Status
Front gardens and lawns In service — gravity feed from the irrigation outlet at the tank base (see Fire Fighting and Irrigation Outlets)
Fire fighting Connection available at the larger lilac outlet
Community nursery propagation Future — tracked on 5.1
Further estate greening Future / as authorised

Distribution to future reuse schemes is also shown on the WWTP schematic (Appendix 1).

Contingency — Storage Limits Reached

Description: RWS tanks at maximum volume capacity.

Causes:

  • Irrigation function not available due to prolonged wet weather, combined with high accommodation occupancy

Controls:

  • Engage licensed pump-out contractor McMinns Pumping Systems (0408 895 171, mcminnspumping@bigpond.com) to remove treated effluent from RWS tanks

Cyclone Emergency

Before a cyclone or extreme weather event:

  • Ensure RWS tanks are at minimum volume
  • After the storm front passes, visit site to assess damage
  • Engage pump-out contractor to remove treated effluent from RWS tanks if required

See 3.2.15 Cyclone Emergency for the full checklist.

Version Control
Version Date Description
2.0 2026-06-22 Rewritten for AdvanTex WWTP per O&M Manual V1.1
2.1 2026-08-30 Linked control-room manifold and 1 pulse per 1,000 L flow meter
2.2 2026-08-30 Photo of the four recycled water storage tanks
2.3 2026-08-30 Photo of the recycled water return valve at the tank base
2.4 2026-08-31 Linked future reuse to the upgrades register
2.5 2026-10-21 Added Show on Map locate buttons
2.6 2026-10-28 Return valve handle removed when not in use; stored in control room (anti-tamper)
2.7 2026-10-28 Fire fighting and gravity irrigation outlets at tank base (photo); front gardens/lawns
2.8 2026-10-30 Hidden search aliases (RWS / recycled water)

Next Review Date: 2027-04-28