Yarra Valley Water will more than triple the capacity of a recycled water treatment facility in Melbourne’s north to support housing growth in the city’s Northern Growth Area.

John Holland is delivering the early designs of the Wollert upgrade, with the new facility to increase treatment capacity from 2.9 million litres per day to 10 million litres per day. This will not only support population growth over the next two decades but also reduce demand on Melbourne’s drinking water supplies.

Yarra Valley Water general manager – asset services Bridie Fennessy said the project would help provide the infrastructure needed to support future communities while enabling more sustainable water use.

“Moving into the early design phase is a significant milestone that will help ensure we can continue providing reliable recycled water services for growing communities, reducing demand on Melbourne’s drinking water supplies and supporting more sustainable water use,” she said.

John Holland executive general manager – infrastructure Andy Hunter said the company was looking forward to working with Yarra Valley Water on the project.

“John Holland brings a deep legacy and expertise in Class A treatment projects that help new communities thrive from day one,” he said.

The upgraded facility will be built alongside the existing treatment plant in Wollert, which will continue operating throughout the design and construction phases to maintain recycled water services.

Once commissioned, the facility will support the supply of recycled water to all new homes in the Northern Growth Area that are connected to the recycled water network.

Recycled water can reduce household drinking water use by around 25 per cent by supplying water for toilet flushing, garden watering, car washing and laundry.

The project will now move into the early design phase, with the new facility expected to be commissioned in approximately four years.

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