Community bore
A community bore is a centralised bore or a number of bores supplying groundwater to several properties for watering lawns and gardens and for irrigating public open space in new developments. Water from community bores can also be supplied for domestic non-drinking uses, such as toilet flushing. Water from community bores is not suitable for drinking and therefore requires its own pipe network – see third pipe scheme.
Domestic garden bore
Domestic garden bores draw water from the superficial groundwater aquifer. In areas that have access to groundwater, a garden bore can provide water security and provide a fit-for-purpose water source to irrigate gardens and lawns. This can take pressure off scheme drinking water supplies. In general, bores that draw groundwater from the superficial aquifer for the irrigation of up to 0.2 hectares of land and for household use, are exempt from licensing. Not all areas are suitable for garden bores and the water quality depends on the geographical location. The use of garden bores has to comply with the government's watering rosters and restrictions.
Drinking water
Drinking water or potable water is water of a quality suitable for drinking, cooking and personal bathing. The standards that define potable water are described in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.
Fit-for-purpose
Water that is treated to an appropriate quality level for its intended end use(s), as described in the Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling: Managing Health and Environmental Risks, Phase 1 (2006). These guidelines have been adopted by the Department of Health and the Department of Environment and Conservation for Western Australian standards.
Greywater
Greywater is used household water sourced from baths, showers, bathroom basins and laundries, but excludes water from the toilet (blackwater). Generally, greywater from the kitchen is not recommended for reuse due to the high levels of organic materials such as oils and fats. Greywater can contain pathogens, high concentrations of nutrients and other contaminants that can pose a risk to human health or the environment if used inappropriately.
All greywater systems have to be approved by the WA Department of Health and installation has to be approved by local government.
Greywater diverters are usually gravity diversion devices that coarsely filter greywater. This method only allows greywater to be used for irrigation below ground to reduce the risk of human contact. There are a number of products on the market that range in price depending on their complexity. The filter system generally requires regular maintenance by the homeowner.
Greywater treatment systems collect, store, treat (chemically and/or biologically) and may disinfect greywater to the standards specified by the Department of Health according to the intended end use(s). This enables the use of treated greywater for above ground irrigation, toilet flushing and cold water supply to washing machines. Treated greywater can be stored for longer than 24 hours, unlike untreated greywater.
Groundwater
Groundwater is a reserve of water beneath the earth's surface in pores and crevices of rocks and soil. Groundwater often supports wetland and stream ecosystems. It is also important for fauna and flora that rely on groundwater sources. Recharge of groundwater aquifers is slow and can take many years.
Managed aquifer recharge (MAR)
Managed aquifer recharge is the intentional recharge of an aquifer under controlled conditions, either by injection or infiltration via ponds and galleries, in order to store a water source for later abstraction and use (indirect reuse), or for environmental benefits. It may involve passive treatment of water within the aquifer. MAR proposals involving treated wastewater or stormwater require the application of relevant national guidelines, e.g. Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling – Augmentation of drinking water; stormwater harvesting and reuse; Managed aquifer recharge modules.
Non-drinking water
Non-drinking water or non-potable water is water not treated to drinking water quality, but it may still be used for many other purposes, depending on its quality. Non-drinking water sources can include groundwater, rainwater, stormwater, greywater and treated municipal wastewater. The source may require further treatment to a quality suitable for its intended non-drinking use(s). – see also 'fit for purpose'.
Non drinking water scheme
A non-drinking water scheme substitutes a non-drinking water source for scheme water. It is also referred to as 'fit-for-purpose' or 'alternative water supply' option.
On-site domestic non-drinking water supply
On-site or 'decentralised' non-drinking water supply refers to water that is collected and used at lot (household) level, e.g. through a garden bore, rainwater tank or greywater reuse.
On-site wastewater treatment systems are only permitted in unsewered areas.
The safe use of water harvested on-site is the responsibility of the home owner.
Public Drinking Water Source Areas (PDWSA)
PDWSA is the collective description for water reserves, catchment areas and underground water pollution control areas declared under the provisions of the Metropolitan Water Supply, Sewerage and Drainage Act 1909 or Country Areas Water Supply Act 1947.
Priority 1 (P1), Priority 2 (P2) or Priority 3 (P3) are classification areas within PDWSAs defined to manage the risk of pollution to the water source from catchment activities. Protection is mainly achieved through guided or regulated environmental risk management of land use activities. Acceptable land uses and activities in PDWSAs are specified in the Land Use Compatibility Table.
Rainwater
Rainwater is water collected directly from roof runoff from domestic or commercial buildings. It has minimal surface contact and is generally relatively free of impurities.
Rainwater tanks
A rainwater tank is a storage unit which holds the runoff from roofs. Factors to consider when choosing a rainwater tank include the regional rainfall pattern, roof catchment size, roof characteristics, intended uses, cost and maintenance. To optimise the full potential of rainwater as an alternative water source (in Perth) it is recommended that the rainwater system be also plumbed into the house for non-drinking uses (e.g. toilet flushing, washing machine).
Sewage or wastewater
Sewage or wastewater is the water used by households and business that is disposed of through the sewerage network (or into septic tanks in unsewered areas). Municipal wastewater is 99.97% water as the majority is sourced from showers, baths and washing machines. The remainder is dissolved and suspended matter.
Sewerage system
A sewerage system collects the wastewater from domestic, commercial and some industrial premises and treats it to a required standard for discharge at a wastewater treatment plant. The treated wastewater is then generally disposed of in the ocean, or in country areas it is discharged to waterways or land. It can also be further treated for reuse.
Sewer mining
Sewer mining is the process of extracting untreated wastewater from the sewerage network and treating it on-site in a treatment plant for reuse. Approval to access the sewer system and guidelines from the owner will apply.
Stormwater
Stormwater is urban surface water runoff from rain events. In areas such as the sandy soils of the Swan coastal plain, rainfall and resultant stormwater naturally recharges the superficial aquifer. The quantity and quality of stormwater is highly variable and of a seasonal nature.
Stormwater harvesting and reuse
Harvesting large quantities of stormwater (e.g. to irrigate public open space or for non-drinking uses in new residential developments) may be limited to high-density development or commercial areas, areas with limited infiltration potential (due to high groundwater levels or less permeable soils) or areas with existing large-scale stormwater discharge systems (such as traditional drains or large sumps).
Another way to use stormwater is by 'indirect reuse' via managed aquifer recharge to shallow groundwater – see 'managed aquifer recharge'.
Third pipe scheme
A third pipe scheme provides non-drinking water to multiple users as an additional water supply network to the mains scheme that supplies drinking water and the sewerage scheme that takes used water away from the house. Plumbing design standards (AS 3500) apply to avoid cross contamination with the drinking water supply, and a dedicated set of purple-coloured pipes are required to avoid confusion. Depending on the scale of the operation, a water service provider may require a licence to operate a third pipe scheme under the Water Services Licensing Act 1995 or an exemption from the Governor.
A third pipe scheme is sometimes also referred to as 'Dual reticulation scheme' – a pipeline providing drinking water and a pipeline providing non-drinking water to the user.
Treated Wastewater
Treated wastewater is discharged from a wastewater treatment facility after it has passed through treatment processes to reduce its nutrient and bio-chemical load. Subject to the intended use treated wastewater has to undergo further treatment to provide a fit-for-purpose water quality for reuse.
Wastewater
See 'sewage'.