You are here: Home Building, Planning & Projects Current Projects Recently Completed Cleveland Bay Recycled Water Treatment Facility

Cleveland Bay Recycled Water Treatment Facility

Investment $36 million
Jobs 30
Goal 4. A sustainable destination that embraces and participates in the arts, sports and events and recreational activities.
Strategic Purpose Reduce demand on potable water to support the development of green hydrogen production operations and attract and secure future industry and jobs for Townsville.
Status Delivered

Project Update

Construction of the Cleveland Bay Recycled Water Treatment Facility (RWTF) and 7 kilometres of pipeline was completed in mid-2025. The $36 million project includes a new facility at the Cleveland Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant that can supply 10ML/day of Class A recycled water.

Project Overview

The Townsville Water Security Taskforce Report in 2018 showed that treated wastewater from the Cleveland Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant could help increase the city's overall water supply availability.

The new non-potable water would supply irrigation users and large industrial customers such as those in the Townsville State Development Area and supplement potable water supply usage, reducing the load on Townsville's potable water network.

In 2019, the Queensland Government released the Queensland Hydrogen Industry Strategy, with a vision to lead renewable hydrogen production in Australia, supplying both local and export markets with safe and reliable hydrogen.

Council subsequently received interest from several companies wanting to secure recycled water for hydrogen production and other industrial purposes. This led to a focus on building the Cleveland Bay Recycled Water Treatment Facility (RWTF) and associated pipeline networks.

The project is designed to support hydrogen operations as that industry matures, attract new industries, and create jobs for Townsville. Total industrial demand is expected to grow significantly over the next 5-10 years.

The RWTF has capacity to supply 10 megalitres of Class A recycled water each day. This water can be used for industrial customers, helping reduce demand on the city's drinking water supply as we continue to grow into the future.