THE debate on drinking recycled water was reignited on Wednesday when Environment Protection Authority chairman Mick Bourke suggested country Victorians could drink recycled water before Melburnians.

Mr Bourke made his comments at a waste water conference in Melbourne, the same day Plug the Pipe protesters threatened to invade Premier Brumby's country property over the north-south pipeline.

Mr Bourke back-pedalled yesterday, apologising for the "lack of clarity around his comments" in a statement issued by the EPA.

"Mr Bourke said the state's policy not to drink recycled water is a sound policy and reflected no current need to consider such use," according to the statement.

"Mr Bourke's comments were primarily focussed around the value of recycled water to substitute other uses of potable water such as the watering of parks and gardens, sporting grounds and the like."

Shadow Minister for Country Water Resources Peter Walsh said Mr Bourke's initial comments showed country Victorians "are being consigned to a future of drinking recycled water".

Coliban Water managing director Gavin Hanlon said the authority would follow the State Government's "no drinking recycled water policy".

"We won't be considering it (drinking recycled water)," Mr Hanlon said.

"Coliban Water still has a number of water saving and infrastructure programs, and water plan bedded down for the next five years," Mr Hanlon said.

Geoff Michell, who retired as Coliban Water chief a month ago, said on his departure Bendigo should consider drinking recycled water.

City of Greater Bendigo Mayor David Jones put forward the idea of using recycled water in the potable water supply two years ago.

And former Coliban chairman Gordon McKern supported Mr Michell's comments last month.