Increasing water use efficiency through improved on-farm techniques
| Principal Investigator | Dr Anne-Maree Boland, Horticulture Scientist |
| Host Organisation | Victorian Department of Primary Industries |
| Issue or Problem to be Addressed | Australia currently sends to 'waste' close to 86% of effluent water. In the past 4 years national re-use of effluent has doubled to 14% of all effluent produced, however this remains a small proportion of the amount of water still running to 'waste'. The potential exists to use this water for horticultural production freeing up costly potable water. There are concerns about the use of recycled water from both a horticultural producer and consumer perspective. Participants throughout the supply chain need to be aware of and minimise the potential risks and maximise the benefits of using this resource. |
| Objectives |
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| Comments | The project worked in close partnership with the National Coordinator for Recycled Water in Horticulture (funded by Horticulture Australia Ltd). The project has developed guidelines for growers as well as policy makers; and produced a hand-held salinity 'wheel' for use in the field. |
| Research Timeline | Project completed. |
| Research Partners | Department of Primary Industries Victoria, Horticulture Australia, Primary Industries Research Victoria, CSIRO Land and Water, Water Corporation WA, Department of Environment WA and Department of Agriculture WA, ARRIS Pty Ltd. |
| Proposed Funding | National Program for Sustainable Irrigation maximum budget $350,000. Considerable cash and in-kind contributions from relevant agencies. Total Project approx $1,000,000 |
This project was the subject of the article 'Confidence in Reclaimed Water' in Irrigation Update 4
Report on (PDF File - 1326Kb)
Report on Social Appraisal of the South Australian Virginia Pipeline Scheme: Five Years' Experience by June Marks (Report in PDF, Appendices in PDF)
(PDF File - 2.5Mb)
Literature Review - January 2004 (PDF File - 239Kb)
Systems Framework - June 2004 (PDF File - 34Kb)
Use of reclaimed effluent water in Australian horticulture: Stage 1 - A National scoping study 2003 (PDF File - 239Kb)
Final Report - Use of Reclaimed Effluent Water in Australian Horticulture
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