Recycled Water

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY (14:29): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Human Services, representing the Minister for Environment and Water, a question about the sale of recycled water from the Glenelg sewage treatment plant.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY: On 3 February 2021, The Advertiser reported that the ratepayer-funded $2.3 million water recycling scheme sponsored by the Burnside, Walkerville, Norwood Payneham and St Peters councils cannot provide water for council-owned parks and gardens for the same price as SA Water's drinking tap water for the next 10 years. Can the minister advise:

1. How many councils are currently using recycled water pumped from the Glenelg sewage treatment plant via Anzac Highway and Greenhill Road for council parks and gardens in the eastern suburbs?

2. What is the price that SA Water charges for this recycled water, and how does it compare with normal potable water prices?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (14:30): I thank the honourable member for his question. Indeed, I recall that there has been in recent years a great deal of interest in recycled water schemes and re-use schemes from the water treatment plants. As honourable members would appreciate, there is a large capital cost involved in the development of those schemes and that cost is factored into the price. Therefore, to make those schemes stack up—and I say that with a degree of irony—it is fairly important that the schemes are able to provide that water at a cost which is less than the potable water system, which is through the SA Water mains network. The details of the honourable member's particular question I will take on notice and bring back a more detailed response.