Some of the benefits of our recycled water are:

• West Water keeps our parks and gardens healthy and lush during drought periods which contributes to a cooler, greener, more climate resilient city.
• Recycled water reduces the demand on our reservoirs and the Murray River.
• Recycled water is not subject to the same water restrictions during drought periods.
• Green spaces and wetlands around our city assists with urban cooling, provides a habitat for wildlife, and gives us a more beautiful place to live in.
• Harvesting and treating stormwater reduces the volume of stormwater run-off entering our waterways and marine environments.

You can use recycled water for:

• flushing toilets
• watering gardens
• washing cars
• cleaning paving
• filling ornamental ponds and water features (without fish)

You can't use recycled water for:

• drinking, cooking or other kitchen purposes
• baths, showers, hand basins and bidets
• indoor household cleaning
• filling swimming pools and spas
• washing clothing
• recreational activities involving contact (ie children playing under sprinklers)
• evaporative coolers
• pets

New connections

Connecting to West Water

The City of Charles Sturt supplies recycled water to reserves, schools and industry around Western Adelaide, and to homes in the St Clair sub-division.

Homes in the St Clair development area are required to connect to the recycled water network. If you are building a new home in St Clair, please contact Council on 8408 1111 to arrange your connection.

The recycled water plumbing is distinctive, and all pipework, taps and meters are coloured lilac or purple. The plumber who installs your recycled water system needs to understand the installation requirements.

For further information read Council’s Recycled Water Installation Guide.

You are required to fill out a Recycled Recycled Water Application Form and Recycled Water Supply Agreement prior to the connection of your recycled water. We can send these forms to you via email to sign electronically if you would prefer. Please contact West Water at council@charlessturt.sa.gov.au to arrange an online form to be sent to you.

The plumber who installs your system is responsible for contacting the Office of the Technical Regulator on 1300 760 311 to schedule inspections during construction. For information about the requirements involved with dual reticulation systems read the OTR Standard for dual reticulation infrastructure.

Council will arrange for the installation of your recycled water meter and the final cross connection audit prior to your connection to our water network.

More Resources

• Irrigation Recycled Water Installation Guide
• Recycled Water Connection Procedures
• Recycled Water Service Charter Summary Guide

Existing connections

You should be able to tell if your property is connected to Council’s recycled water network by the purple coloured pipework, taps and meters. If you are connected to the recycled water, you will have a second purple coloured meter on your property as well as your SA Water meter.

Property buyers

If you are buying a new home connected to recycled water, you should fill out a Recycled Water Supply Agreement and Recycled Water Connection Application form.

Property sellers

• It is important to advise new owners of any recycled water connections.

• When you have confirmed your settlement date you must let Council know that you are selling your property by filling out a Request for Meter Reading form no less than 48 hours before the property settlement occurs or by calling us on 8408 1111.

Relocating, Modifying or Removing Existing Connections

You may need to modify, expand, or remove existing recycled water connections. This may happen if you move premises or renovate your house.

If you need to make changes, please contact our Alternative Water Customer and Business Support on 8408 1111 to discuss your needs.

It is important for developers who wish to make any changes to the recycled water network to involve Council prior to commencing the development process. Please contact us to discuss the requirements.

Then, you will need to lodge an application for recycled water service relocation, augmentation or extinguishment.

For up to date information on charges for recycled water, read our Fees and Charges Register.

A cross connection audit must be completed when a property is sold or every 5 years. This is to check that drinking water and recycled water stay separate and there is no cross connection.

The inspection is done by a qualified and licensed plumber. They must issue a Certificate of Compliance with the Office of the Technical Regulator and send a copy to Council within seven days of the test.

Council can also arrange the audit for you. To book a cross connection audit please call us on 8408 1111.

Our Quick Reference Guide helps you deal with enquiries, complaints and dispute resolution.

Homes in the Bowden development that are connected to recycled water receive recycled water from SA Water.

For general information about recycled water in the Bowden development, please visit SA Water.

To contact SA Water in the event of supply interruptions to recycled water in the Bowden development, please call 1300 729 283.

The Water Proofing the West project was developed by the City of Charles Sturt together with the State and Federal Government and the City of Port Adelaide.

Stormwater management and flood mitigation has been a significant issue facing our city. As well as flood risk, previous drought conditions and water restrictions saw many Council reserves and natural vegetation areas deteriorate and show signs of stress. The Waterproofing the West project has had multiple benefits including a reduction in flood risk, less reliance on mains water and a reduction in untreated stormwater draining into our waterways and marine environments.

The goal was to create a system that harvests, treats and stores stormwater for distribution to sections of Western Adelaide. The key elements of the project include:

• The wetlands and stormwater drainage in Old Port Road
• Cooke Reserve and West Lakes Golf Course wetlands and bio-filters
• St Clair Wetlands
• The River Torrens Transfer System – diverts excess river flow to the wetlands
• 36km of linking distribution mains throughout the City of Charles Sturt

The Water Proofing the West project has officially been completed and opened. It has created a unique, integrated water sensitive urban design solution to the challenges of stormwater and flood management and water quality improvement in an urban environment. The construction of the wetlands within our urban environment has added aesthetic value, created an ecological habitat and assists in creating a greener, cooler city.