Coliban Water customers share views on future water security options
With less rain, a hotter climate, and lower long-term average inflows to the region’s water storages, more householders in the Coliban Water region agree recycled water will be important to their future water security.
Water storage levels can move from healthy to under pressure very quickly, as demonstrated by combined storages currently at 56% capacity compared with 81% at the same time two years ago, meaning ongoing dry conditions across the region require consideration of additional water security options.
Midway through its program of community consultation to prepare its 2027 Urban Water Strategy, Coliban Water says there is a growing community preference for the use of recycled water as part of a mix of strategies to secure the region’s water supply for the next 50 years.
Managing Director, Damian Wells, said Coliban Water had started the conversation in early February with an online survey to capture customer feedback.
“We’re asking customers to tell us how they use water, what they value, what they believe should be done to ensure our water supply meets future demand, and what trade-offs, if any, they’re prepared to make to balance water security, water bills, environmental impacts, and community values,” he explained.
While the survey remains open until 31 March, Mr Wells said it was already apparent that many customers understand the combination of population growth, greater customer demand, and a changing climate driving lower long-term average rainfall means the increasing demand for water will need to be met in a range of different ways.
“From the survey, 52% of customers said we should use recycled water for non-drinking purposes, such as parks, gardens and sporting reserves, while 48% said we should use purified recycled water to supplement our drinking water supply provided it’s safe and cost-effective.
“Many customers are telling us they would also be willing to accept water restrictions more often as a means to keep their water bills lower. However, we want to collect more community feedback to confirm these insights,” he said.
Survey responses, together with feedback from other engagement activities, will inform Coliban Water’s latest Urban Water Strategy, which detail the region’s long-term water outlook and guide how it will manage growing demand for drinking water.
“As a customer-funded business, and because none of us can live without water, it’s important our plans reflect what our customers consider important,” Mr Wells explained.
Coliban Water recently announced further upgrades to the Recycled Water Factory in Bendigo to improve filtration and more than triple recycled water production from 3 megalitres to 10 megalitres per day.
“Currently we use recycled water to green community spaces, including Rosalind Park, the Bendigo Botanic Gardens, Spring Gully soccer grounds, Lake Weeroona, other valued community assets, and to improve environmental flows in local waterways.”
According to Mr Wells, the organisation has no immediate plans to use purified recycled water to supplement drinking water supplies.
“The use of purified recycled water is a journey from consideration to social and regulatory acceptance. However, we are closely monitoring what’s happening in other parts of Australia and globally as it is something we must consider as part of our region’s future water security and drought contingency plans.
“In Perth, purified recycled water already supplements their groundwater supply, while Sydney Water is actively progressing detailed investigations and community engagement to enable purified recycled water to replenish their water storages and enhance security.
“In our region, we need to think differently about water and ensure we use it wisely. However, expanding the use of recycled water will take planning, long-term investment infrastructure, and education to build acceptance and understanding. It will be important to educate and engage the community and stakeholders first to demonstrate how purified recycled water can be safely used. But we’re keen to start this important conversation,” Mr Wells said.
“The very nature of the natural water cycle means all water sources, whether straight from the sky, or from rivers, dams, ground water, or reclaimed sources, is all recycled. The test is to judge water by its quality, not where it comes from.”
Other topics in Coliban Water’s Urban Water Strategy survey include community sentiment about priorities if water restrictions are required, how much more (if anything) customers would pay to avoid or reduce restrictions, and what factors should be considered when making investment decisions.
The survey closes on Tuesday 31 March. Learn more and complete the survey here.
Last updated on 19 Mar 2026