So says community advocacy group Sustainable Water Actions for Merimbula and Pambula (SWAMP), which is advocating for 100 per cent reuse of this "precious resource".

The Bega Valley Shire Council is proposing to spend $30million-plus on a deep ocean outfall, while SWAMP is pushing for a solution where wastewater is recycled, reused and value added.

"Working closely with Clean Ocean Foundation and BVSC we hope to secure federal funding for the Merimbula sewage treatment plant to run as a pilot trial for the water smart approach known as the National Outfall Upgrade Strategy (NOUS)," a SWAMP spokesperson said.

"The deep ocean outfall is one 'solution' to Merimbula's wastewater disposal options. Eight short-listed effluent reuse scheme options were also documented. These are the options SWAMP is asking the council along with the EPA to reconsider.

"The DOO option may have had merit in the early 2010s, but in light of climate change, drought and unprecedented bushfires, we must not waste our treated effluent."

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SWAMP said benefits from reuse/recycling options would include:

Supporting and sustaining local farming and productivity via a reliable water source;

Protecting local fisheries/oyster industry due to a reduced or zero discharge;

Providing a source of water storage for firefighting-contingency management'

Creating a new tourism opportunity through constructed wetlands and eco-forests away from coastal areas;

Helping sustain business via maintenance and servicing requirements;

Selling recycled water a revenue for the council; and

Improvement to the environment and to future generations.

"Outfall upgrades provide a range of benefits, from increased recycle water, by-products, cost savings and credits as market benefits through to broader benefits from higher quality wastewater disposed to receiving environments," SWAMP said

"These broader benefits also include those related to recreation and spillovers into various industries including tourism and the value of nearby property. This in turn provides ripple effects through the local economy raising jobs and income, not just from the upgrade, and society in improving the amenity and sense of place."

For more information on SWAMP's proposals, visit www.swamp.org.au