The Queensland Government announced in January 2007 that purified recycled water will be added to Southeast Queensland's drinking supplies as part of a broader water security and supply plan. Purified recycled water is expected to be available by February 2009 from the Western Corridor Recycled Water Project.
Purified recycled water will be a permanent and ongoing part of southeast Queensland's drinking supplies. The concerns that led to the implementation of an indirect potable reuse project included:
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Inflows into the Wivenhoe-Somerset Dam system were 20% lower than the worst year on record;
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Combined dam levels (in the Wivenhoe-Somerset system) of below 40% should trigger the emergency use of purified recycled water (the dam levels have not been at 40% since mid 2005),
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With continued below average rainfall patterns, it could take five to 10 years for the Wivenhoe system to climb back to 40% even with purified recycled water, desalination, and the other measures being taken; and
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Strong support within the community for the addition of purified recycled water to the water supply system with a range of polling showing a clear majority of support at up to almost 80%.
Source: Queensland Water Commission