Media Releases

Alternative water sources may hold the key to ongoing sustainability for horticulture

Alternative water sources such as stormwater and recycled wastewater may hold the key to ensuring the ongoing sustainability of irrigated agriculture in some regions, as pressure continues to mount on traditional water supplies, according to a leading Australian researcher.

“Exploring these options and their environmental, social and economic implications is becoming an increasing focus as we become smarter about the quality of various water sources and making the best use of them,” said Dr Anne-Maree Boland, who is involved in several major national research projects as part of her role as senior research scientist with Victoria’s Department of Primary Industries.

“For example, it doesn’t seem to make sense to keep using the best water to flush toilets or water the garden if we have options to set up systems that enable us to use greywater, or lesser quality water, for these purposes. And it may not make sense to overlook the potential to use recycled wastewater to irrigate horticultural crops, if we can implement regulatory processes and establish management practices to ensure there are no environmental or food safety risks.”

Supported by the National Program for Sustainable Irrigation, RWAH is a national program which aims to identify and address key knowledge gaps and communicate important information about the viability of using recycled water.

“With the Australian horticultural industry expected to continue expanding, reliable access to water has been identified as one of the major limitations to growth and sustainability,” said Dr Boland.

“Generally the horticulture industry has viewed the increased use of recycled water with a degree of trepidation, mainly due to concern about community perceptions relating to food safety and the long-term sustainability of such schemes,” said Dr Boland.

“To proceed down the recycled water path, growers need confirmation that using this water is a safe, economically viable alternative,” said Dr Boland.

The RWAH program was developed in two major phases. The first involved an investigation into the strategic position of the horticulture industry to using recycled water.

“We established a stakeholder network which we used to identify any practical impediments,” said Dr Boland.

“This was supported by an intensive literature review and the establishment of a framework considering all stakeholders and their major interests,” she added.

Among impediments to using recycled water identified during the investigation were consumer perceptions in some communities relating to using recycled water to grow fruit and vegetables, and lack of information about the long-term sustainability of recycled water irrigation schemes.

Lack of training and extension mechanisms for growers was another important factor limiting the use of recycled water.

The program is developing a component that addresses the management issues of using recycled water for horticultural crops. It is being created to complement existing irrigation management courses being run throughout the nation, and will provide valuable knowledge on using recycled water effectively and safely.

“This work builds on research being conducted by other groups, and has been developed in close collaboration with industry, researchers and other relevant stakeholders in order to maximise its impact,” said Dr Boland.

The National Program for Sustainable Irrigation is supporting RWAH as part of its focus on research to drive the development and adoption of sustainable irrigation practices in Australian agriculture. The aim is to address critical emerging environmental management issues, while generating long-term economic and social benefits that ensure irrigation has a viable future. The Program has 14 funding partners with Land & Water Australia the managing partner.

For further information about the Recycled Water in Australian Horticulture program please contact Anne-Maree Boland on 03 9210 9222 or visit the Coordinator for Recycled Water Development in Horticulture (CRWDH) website at www.recycledwater.com.au

For further information about the National Program for Sustainable Irrigation please contact Murray Chapman on 03 57633214 or visit www.npsi.gov.au

www.recycledwater.com.au

Contacts: