WRAMS recycled water is sold to customers for fifteen cents less than drinking water supplied by Sydney Water. Drinking water costs customers $0.925/kL and WRAMS recycled water costs customers about $0.775/kL.
Unfortunately some savings are not passed on to customers. Controlling operations and maintenance costs need to be allowed for in achieving an efficient water utility and appropriate levels of service to customers. Also, currently WRAMS does the sewage treatment yet Sydney Water collects money for this service. This anomoly needs to be resolved.
There are further issues relating to the pricing of recycled water. Disposal of sewage is not environmentally sustainable yet nor is it economically restricted. This does not encourage use of recycled water or wise use of drinking water.
Urban water recycling systems such as WRAMS are instrumental in resolving much of the high priority urban water problems. If Australia wants to ensure financially viable waste water reuse schemes, one of the best ways is to support water recycling through legislation which addresses unsustainable water use practices.
All levels of government in Australia have a responsibiltiy to promote and encourage sustainable water management. Australia now needs to make schemes such as WRAMS the norm not the exception.