Burwood Brickworks

October 2021

The Aquacell water recycling system at Burwood Brickworks treats all the wastewater and stormwater generated on site.

  • The wastewater treated at Burwood Brickworks is collected from the entire shopping centre site.
  • The Aquacell water recycling system treats wastewater to a high standard that makes it safe for toilet flushing, irrigation of the urban farm, cooling towers, washing machines, car wash and dog wash.
  • Treated water is NOT suitable for drinking.

Where is the wastewater treated at 1 Burwood Brickworks?

Wastewater is collected in the buffer tank that sources water from the building. The wastewater is then pumped to the treatment plant where it is treated in Australia’s first in-building membrane aerated bioreactor (MABR), a multi-stage process treating the wastewater to a final quality that is fit for purpose. The wastewater recycling plant is located in the car park of the building. After treatment, the treated water is held in storage tanks for re-use.

How is recycled water used at Burwood Brickworks?

This diagram outlines the process in layman terms.

There are no taps or public access to the recycled water.

What precautions are in place on-site?

The Burwood Brickworks shopping centre uses a dual pipe system. This means the recycled water is transported around the site and throughout the building in a separate (purple coloured) pipe system to the drinking water (‘mains water’). As there are no purple recycled water hoses or taps accessible to residents on-site, coming into contact with recycled water is highly unlikely.

Plumbing connections are checked regularly to ensure there’s no chance of cross connection and a stringent induction system ensures all trades people are aware of the dual pipe system. There’s also monthly operational water quality monitoring to ensure treated water meets the recycled water requirements outlined in the EPA Works Approval.

Image credit: If & When

Instructions for the community

You can help keep the system running at its optimum by following some simple guidelines.

Please do

  • Contact Frasers Property Australia if you experience any problems with your water supply.
  • Seek information from Frasers Property Australia if you do not understand the recycled water program. Their contact information is listed below.

Please don’t

  • Don’t drink treated water – it is non-potable.
  • Don’t attempt to alter or repair any of the plumbing – contact Burwood Brickworks Security if you have any problems.
  • Don’t put any of these materials down the drain:
    • Detergents
    • Fertilisers
    • Chemicals
    • Pharmaceuticals
    • Pet care products
    • Silicon or silicon based products
    • Bleach
    • Paint or paint thinners
    • Turps
    • High-foaming degreasers
    • Windex
    • Draino or caustic soda

Important contact information

For all life-threatening emergencies dial 000 for Ambulance, Fire Brigade or Police.

Incidents and emergencies

For urgent repairs, incidents and emergencies, contact Burwood Brickworks Security immediately on 02 9377 0309. This includes:

  • Any burst water service
  • Dangerous electrical faults
  • Flooding
  • Water service breakdown
  • Any fault or damage that creates a hazardous condition
  • Production of out-of-spec water

In the event of an electrical hazard, an emergency stop button is mounted on the Aquacell system’s control cabinet panel.

Treatment plant operator

Aquacell Pty Ltd
Suite 602, 6A Glen Street
Milsons Point, NSW 2061

Telephone: 02 4721 0545

Recycled water reticulation scheme operator

Frasers Property Australia
Level 9, 484 St Kilda Road
Melbourne VIC 3004

Telephone: 03 9258 1200

Department of Human Health and Human Services, Victoria

50 Lonsdale Street
Melbourne VIC 3000

Telephone: 1300 761 874

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Victoria

200 Victoria Street
Carlton VIC 3053

Telephone: 1300 EPA VIC (1300 372 842)

Portal: https://portal.epa.vic.gov.au/irj/portal