Melbourne Aquarium fish will be swimming in treated and re-used water in a new water-saving initiative announced today by Water Minister John Thwaites.
Treated water will be re-used in freshwater and salt exhibits in an innovative project that will save up to 10,000 litres of drinking water a week by treating and reusing water from display tanks.
The aquarium initiative is one of 36 innovative water conservation, water recycling or biosolids projects across Victoria to share in $6 million under the Bracks Government's Smart Water Fund.
Mr Thwaites said the $355,000 aquarium project to be developed in partnership with NanoVic will position Melbourne Aquarium as a leader in water management in public aquariums, applying emerging technologies to the critical issue of water conservation.
This high profile project will showcase the potential of treating and reusing water in every industry, Mr Thwaites said.
Water can be treated and re-used to the required standards for all sorts of applications.
Mr Thwaites said the project would also treat salt water from aquarium displays to reduce salt discharged to Werribee treatment plant via the sewerage system by up to two tons a week, making the water easier to treat for reuse.
Smart Water spokesman Dennis Cavagna said the latest round of funding featured desalination research, industry water-efficiency and using biosolids as engineering fill.
With water restrictions now in place across most of the state, it is imperative that we continue to find new and innovative ways to conserve and recycle water, Mr Cavagna said.
All of us from businesses to schools, research facilities and individuals must take up the challenge of using our water resources in a more sustainable way.
The Smart Water Fund provides funding for innovative water conservation and biosolids initiatives to individuals, community groups, businesses and research bodies in metropolitan and regional urban Victoria.
Since its inception in 2002, the fund has provided $20 million in grants to more than 120 projects.
The Bracks Government's Smart Water Fund is an initiative of Melbourne's water businesses including City West Water, South East Water, Yarra Valley Water and Melbourne Water in partnership. The Victorian Water Trust also contributes to the fund.