Recycled water — case study: Gerringong Gerroa

Gerringong and Gerroa are coastal towns with 3,500 permanent local residents. They are located 120 km from Sydney on the southeast coast of Australia. The region is a popular holiday destination and very well known for its diversified flora and fauna, as well as its beaches. The main local industries are dairy farming and tourism. The Gerringong Gerroa Sewerage Scheme, commissioned in 2002, and designed to meet the local community's needs up to the year 2022 for an estimated population of 11,000, has brought significant benefits to the area. For example, improved housing and commercial development due to sewer reticulation and a sustainable agricultural-based reuse system designed to use greater than 80% of the treated effluent and 100% reuse of the biosolids. The Gerringong Gerroa Sewerage Scheme is the culmination of an intensive environmental impact assessment process and community input to provide the area with a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment system.