Recycled water treatment for Lyndhurst estate

Hydroflux CEO John Koumoukelis, South East Water's Charlie Littlefair, Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny, South East Water's Karen Lau and Hydroflux EPCO CEO Luis Bastos, CEO at the water recycling site.

Hydroflux has been awarded the contract to design, build and operate a new water recycling plant in Lyndhurst.

Using Australian-first technology, the plant will treat about 52 million litres of wastewater a year, converting it to Class A standard for each home in the Aquarevo housing estate.

The water would be suitable for non-drinking purposes such as toilet flushing, garden irrigation and washing machines.

The plant will include a greenhouse and an ‘organica’ food chain reactor, which looks like a natural garden to help blend in with the neighbourhood.

The process could treat up to 207 kilolitres of wastewaster daily – the volume of an Olympic swimming pool in 12 days.

The contractor was announced by Planning Minister and Carrum MP Sonya Kilkenny on Friday 15 November.

Construction is planned to start in early 2025, with the plant to be operational by late 2026. 

Aquarevo estate is a collaboration between South East Water and Villawood Properties to create a water and energy efficient urban housing development.

Residents have access to three types of water – drinking-quality, rainwater and Class A recycled water – plumbed to their homes.

Their households are using on average 40 per cent less drinking water than other South East Water homes as a result.

South East Water managing director Lara Olsen said Aquarevo was a “working example” of how to reduce the impact of urbanisation on water supplies and local environments.

“We’re excited to work with Hydroflux to deliver Australian-first water treatment services to our customers that will reduce reliance on previous drinking water across our network in Melbourne’s South East.