Permissioning of supply or use of reclaimed wastewater - A14 permits | Environment Protection Authority Victoria

Users of this guidance

The information on this page is for suppliers or users of reclaimed wastewater. Reclaimed wastewater is also known as ‘water recycling’ or ‘recycled water’. These terms can be used interchangeably.

Permissioning requirements for supply or use of reclaimed wastewater

Under the Environment Protection Regulations 2021 (EP Regulations) certain activities are ‘prescribed activities’. You need a permission to engage in a prescribed activity.

Permissions are Licences, Permits and Registrations.

In Victoria, the supply or use of reclaimed wastewater is a prescribed activity. You need an A14 (Reclaimed wastewater supply or use) permit (‘A14 permit') to conduct these activities.

You do not need an A14 permit if you are already approved to operate the activities under a licence. You may also be eligible for an exemption from a permission.

An A14 permit does not allow you to develop the following activities:

A03 (Sewage treatment); or
A04 (Industrial wastewater treatment).

You need to obtain a permission or an exemption under s80 of the EP Act from a permission for those activities.

Recycled water is generally classified into three classes (Class A, B and C). The class of recycled water determines what it can safely be used for. Learn about classes of recycled water in the Victorian guideline for water recycling (Publication 1910.2).

Exemptions relating to supply or use of reclaimed wastewater

Operating licence exemption for A03 (sewage treatment) activities
If you engage in A03 (Sewage Treatment) activities, an exemption applies under regulation 38(a) if:
1. you hold an A14 permit for the reclaimed wastewater supply or use; and
2. the reclaimed wastewater scheme discharges or deposits to land at a design capacity of 100,000 litres per day or less.
If you meet these criteria, you are exempt from the need to have an operating licence for your A03 (Sewage treatment) activities. You are still required to obtain a development licence for these activities.
Operating licence exemptions for D01 (abattoirs) activities
Operating licence exemptions for D01 (Abattoirs) activities

If you engage in D01 (Abattoirs) activities, an exemption from operating licences applies under regulation 38(c) if:
1. your activity that discharges or deposits less than 100,000 litres per day of treated wastewater solely to land; and
2. you hold an A14 permit for the reclaimed wastewater scheme.
You are still required to obtain a development licence for these activities.
Operating licence exemptions for B03 (fish farms) activities
If you engage in B03 (Fish farm) activities, an exemption from operating licences applies under regulation 38(b) if:
1. your activity discharges or deposits waste (including reclaimed wastewater) solely to land.
You are still required to obtain a development licence for these activities.

You are still required to obtain an A14 permit for supply or use of reclaimed wastewater if exemption 40(1)(a)(ii) does not apply to your circumstances (see below).
Operating licence exemptions for D09 (beverage manufacturing) activities
If you engage in D09 (Beverage manufacturing) activities, an exemption from operating licences applies under regulation 38(d) if:
1. your activity discharges or deposits waste (including reclaimed wastewater) solely to land.
You are still required to obtain a development licence for these activities.

You are still required to obtain an A14 permit for supply or use of reclaimed wastewater if:
- exemption 40(1)(a)(ii) does not apply to your circumstances (see below).
Permit exemption for Class B or C reclaimed wastewater schemes less than one megalitre per day
If you supply or use reclaimed wastewater, an exemption applies under regulation 40(1)(a)(ii) if:
1. you engage in an activity that discharges or deposits less than 1 megalitre per day of class B or C reclaimed wastewater solely to land.
This exemption does not apply if you require a permission for your A03 Sewage treatment operating licence activities. This means you cannot use this exemption if:
- you hold (or are required to hold) an A14 permit in order to be exempt from an operating licence for (A03 sewage treatment) under Regulation 38(a)(i)(ii). Please see Regulation 38(a)(i)(ii) licence exemptions for A03 (sewage treatment) activities above.
Permit exemption for use of reclaimed wastewater
If you use reclaimed wastewater, you may be eligible for an exemption under regulation 40(1)(a)(i) if:
1. you receive and use reclaimed wastewater; and
2. you do not generate or supply reclaimed wastewater; and
3. your reclaimed wastewater supplier holds an A14 permit and
4. you only use the reclaimed wastewater for the purposes and circumstances set out in the supplier’s permit.
If you meet this criteria, you are exempt from the need to have a permission for the use of reclaimed wastewater. Conditions for A14 permits are found on Types of Permits. Find out more about how to get help from EPA on permissioning requirements.

Get advice about permissioning requirements

If you are not sure what type of permission you might need, check if you need a permission. If you are unsure if an exemption applies to your circumstances, please submit a pathway form.

Additional permit application requirements for A14 activity

For general information see preparing your permit application.

Your permit application must include specific information to be in the form and manner acceptable for EPA to assess.

Further guidance and information about reclaimed wastewater activities including recycled water treatment and classes is available at the Recycling Water webpage.

EPA assesses applications for reclaimed wastewater activities to make sure that applicants:

Identify the risks to human health and environment; and
Minimise these risks to acceptable levels. This includes consideration of how the reclaimed wastewater will be used.

In your application you need to provide:

A current activity site plan of your activity site. An activity site is where reclaimed wastewater is supplied or used.
Information about the quality of reclaimed wastewater (class A, B and/or C). You need to provide relevant supporting evidence for this information.
Information about the reclaimed wastewater scheme size (Megalitres/day). You need to provide relevant supporting evidence for this information.
Information about the intended users and uses for the reclaimed wastewater.
A risk management and monitoring program (RMMP) for your activity. Your RMMP must include your Health and Environment Management Plan (HEMP).
Any other relevant information including consideration of the standards or requirements specified in Victorian guideline for water recycling (publication 1910.2).

Many of your risk management practices for recycled water will already be covered in your HEMP. This is why your HEMP documentation must be in your RMMP. However, your RMMP is designed to include additional risk management on your site that may not be covered in your HEMP (e.g. noise, hydrocarbon storage).

Your application must include a Health and Environment Management Plan (HEMP)

You must prepare your HEMP in accordance with EPA “Victorian guideline for water recycling” (publication 1910.2). You must submit a HEMP as part of your application for an A14 Reclaimed wastewater supply or use permit. EPA will determine whether your HEMP is acceptable for your proposed activity.

You must operate your reclaimed wastewater scheme in accordance with your permit and HEMP. EPA must approve your HEMP for all class A schemes and for class B and C schemes supplying 1 Megalitre per day or more.

Health and environment management plan specific requirements for Class A recycled water schemes

Class A reclaimed wastewater schemes also require the HEMP to address the requirements of a Recycled Water Quality Management Plan (RWQMP). In this case, the HEMP must show: