Tas water recycling plant touted as national example

The Federal Government is using Tasmania's biggest and newest water recycling scheme as a national example of how to save water.

Clarence City Council has built a $16 million water recycling plant on Hobart's eastern shore.

Treated effluent that was once released from the Rosny Sewerage plant into the Derwent River is now pumped up a 20-kilometre pipeline to the Coal Valley, where it is used on farms.

The federal Local Government Minister, Jim Lloyd, says the $8 million the Commonwealth put towards the scheme was money well spent.

"Showing the rest of Australia who are also suffering water shortages how with the Australian Government's help you can recycle and better use water," he said.

The Government hopes other councils will follow Clarence's lead and start recycling waste water.

Farmer Chris Gunn is using recycled water to irrigate his crops.

"If you're an irrigator you love to have a security of water," he said.

He says after the driest winter in 125 years it is a relief to have a constant supply of water.

"That there's a plentiful supply, there's seven megalitres coming out of Rosny each day and there's nitrogen and phosphorous in it which is fertilisers we need for our pastures and cropping," he said.