A14 - Reclaimed wastewater supply or use permits(opens in a new window) allow reclaimed wastewater schemes to operate under the new environment protection framework(opens in a new window).
We are currently amending transitioned permits to make sure the permit conditions align with the new framework.
Amended permits will allow you to continue to operate until 30 July 2026 when the permits expire.
If you need help, use our free permission pathway process(opens in a new window).
Who this applies to
This information applies to anyone who:
- has an A14 - Reclaimed wastewater supply or use permit, and
- was operating a reclaimed wastewater scheme before 1 July 2021, and,
- holds an exemption under regulation 11(d) of the Environment Protection (Scheduled Premises) Regulations 2017 or equivalent before provision, and
- operates under one of the following:
- Environment Improvement Plan (EIP) – for a single source of supply of reclaimed wastewater
- Regional Environment Improvement Plan (REIP) – for multiple supply sources of reclaimed wastewater
- Health and Environment Management Plan (HEMP).
This information does not apply to anyone who has a A14 – Reclaimed wastewater supply or use permit issued after 1 July 2021. Exemptions may apply for some sites.
What has changed
Under the new A14 permit conditions, you must operate your reclaimed wastewater scheme following a HEMP.
Existing EIPs and REIPs must be updated to a HEMP by 30 June 2026.
A HEMP forms part of the risk management and monitoring program(opens in a new window) (RMMP) for a permit. For more information on HEMPs, refer to the Victorian guideline for water recycling, and the related Technical information for the Victorian guideline for water recycling.
What you need to do
Provide information so we can amend your permit
We're contacting everyone that has an A14 - Reclaimed wastewater supply or use permit that needs amending.
When we contact you, you must provide the information we request. This includes current:
- administrative details
- activity site plan for each activity site
- capacity and class of reclaimed wastewater for each activity site producing reclaimed wastewater in a scheme (this is for our information only).
Once we have this information, we can amend your permit. We provide reasonable support to help you comply with this request.
If you do not provide an adequate response within the timeframe, we may consider compliance and enforcement action.
Update your EIP or REIP to a HEMP
If you currently operate under an EIP or REIP, you must update it to become a HEMP before 30 June 2026.
This must be done following the:
- Victorian guideline for water recycling(opens in a new window)
- Technical information for the Victorian guideline for water recycling.
With an amended A14 transition permit, you can continue to operate under your existing EIP or REIP until your permit expires on 30 June 2026.
Additional steps for REIPS (multiple activity sites)
If you hold a A14 permit that has multiple activity sites, you must provide information about each individual site.
You must:
- Apply to amend your permit(opens in a new window) to be for one activity site only that supplies reclaimed wastewater.
- Apply for a new A14 – Reclaimed wastewater supply or use(opens in a new window) permit for each additional activity site that supplies reclaimed wastewater.
In your application, you must provide a HEMP.
Your amended permit
Once we receive the information we need, we amend your A14 permit.
We send you a notice of amendment and your amended permit. The notice of amendment outlines:
- details of your amended permit
- new conditions attached to your permit.
All standard conditions for A14 activities(opens in a new window) are added to your amended permit. This includes conditions PER_RW11 or PER_RW11.1. Under these conditions, you must operate your reclaimed wastewater scheme following your HEMP. Existing EIPs and REIPs are considered equivalent to a HEMP until 30 June 2026.
Once your permit has been amended, the details and conditions are published on our public register(opens in a new window).
Your amended A14 permit expires on 30 June 2026.
If you want to extend your A14 permit beyond 30 June 2026, you can apply to renew it at least 15 business days before it expires through our portal.
Surrendering your permit
You can surrender(opens in a new window) your existing A14 permit if you have an exemption for conducting an activity that discharges or deposits less than one megalitre per day of Class B or C reclaimed wastewater solely to land. Refer to regulation 40(1)(a)(ii) of the Environment Protection Regulations 2021.
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