The Barwon Water Black Rock Precinct generates sustainable water resources and transforms waste into valuable resources, driving a circular economy and a healthier environment through innovation, education and partnerships to enable a more prosperous region.
Our Location
The Black Rock Precinct is a 300 hectare site where 85 per cent of the Geelong region’s wastewater is treated.
It is a place where resources are recovered from waste, sustainable water and energy is generated and sustainable agriculture begins.
Our Focus Areas & Process
Sustainable Water and Waste Transformation
We specialise in generating safe and sustainable water resources, including recycled water.
We also transform organic waste into valuable resources including energy and nutrient-rich organic fertilisers that can be used across our community, in agriculture, and industry.
Our practical application of waste treatment innovations and technologies ensures all waste is valued and their use maximised, reducing waste disposed to ocean or landfill.
Our focus is to ensure the health and wellbeing of our communities and our families, creating jobs and supporting a growing and more prosperous region.
Projects
Alternate Water Grid
Project highlights
Barwon Water is investigating an alternative water grid that would distribute recycled water and treated stormwater for beneficial non-drinking uses through locations from Black Rock in Breamlea and the Surf Coast hinterland, all the way to northern and western Geelong.
This ambitious project is working towards:
- 40,000 million litres per year of recycled water for use in the Barwon Region by 2070
- ensuring enough water is left in the environment for river health and Cultural values
- harnessing the strengths of our region and unlocking the growing potential of the region's argribusiness, manufacturing and energy industries.
- Learn more about Recycled Water
- Learn more about Black Rock Wind Turbine
- More information coming soon!
Circular Economy
We are committed to embracing the principles of innovation and a circular economy where resources are reused, remanufactured and recycled.
Our innovations and circular economy practices enhance operational efficiencies, support industry and job growth, help to create a healthier environment and deliver more secure, sustainable and affordable services to the community.
By advancing the recovery and reuse of waste and energy resources, we will not only increase the use of recycled water and production of biochar, but also help unlock the growing potential of the region’s agribusiness, manufacturing and energy industries, driving economic and environmental prosperity.
Projects
Regional Renewable Organics Network
Project highlights
Barwon Water is planning a world leading Regional Renewable Organics Network (RRON) facility. The planned facility will take household food and garden waste, local commercial and industrial organic waste and biosolids (organic materials from wastewater treatment) and safely convert it into products that enrich compost, soil and capture carbon for high value use in agribusiness and sustainable manufacturing, and at the same time produce renewable energy.
This project is working towards:
- 13,300t of CO2-e of net emissions saved
- 111 Jobs. 75 construction and 36 ongoing jobs created
- 2.6MW of thermal energy produced in the initial phase
- 5,000t of high value carbon products per year
- reduces cost of wastewater treatment, helping keep bills low
- limits landfill and reduces our carbon footprint.
Learn more:
Country and Community
‘Black Rock’ is named for the basalt rocks that line the shoreline. Situated on Wadawurrung coastal Country, it is an area of natural beauty and Cultural significance.
In collaboration with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners and local landowners, we’re working to enhance and protect the unique character and amenity of the high value conservation foreshore and saltmarsh areas, which provide important habitat for many protected species.
Our focus on regeneration practices aims to protect the important Cultural heritage values and restore biodiversity areas to improve the health of our environment.
The coastal dune system and foreshore with their areas of Cultural sensitivity are managed by Barwon Water to ensure their ecological and heritage values are protected retained.
Projects
Partnering with Wadawurrung to care for Country
This project aims to:
- protect and preserve important Cultural heritage values in the immediate area and connected landscapes
- safeguard sensitive environmental sites in and around Black Rock providing habitat for important and protected indigenous species
- revegetate areas within Black Rock for Cultural, biodiversity and amenity value
- build education and understanding of Cultural landscapes and Traditional Land management practices.
The Process
The wastewater treatment process utilises natural organisms to convert the wastewater into recycled water, which can be put to productive use and returned to the environment.
The process begins with coarse and fine screens that separate solid waste.
The screened wastewater is mixed with beneficial microorganisms in aeration tanks, where air is added to help them do their job.
After mixing, the heavier sludge settles to the bottom, and the clear water on top is collected for recycling. This recycled water (referred to as Class C) can be used for some farming practices, such as irrigation, or released into the ocean.
The recycled water goes through additional treatment to increase its beneficial re-use applications and become high-quality recycled water (referred to as Class A). This is for non-drinking purposes only.
The leftover sludge is removed, dried and turned into a product called biosolids, which are nutrient-rich pellets, used as fertiliser.
Overall, the plant's processes protect human health and the environment while promoting sustainable water resource management.
