This research investigates the impact of various recycled water sources (treated sewage, storm water, dairy, winery and piggery effluents) on the (im)mobilization and bioavailability of copper (Cu) in soils. Recycled water can act both as a source and sink for heavy metals. When used for irrigation the concentration of metal content in soils may increase depending on the level of treatment. But the presence of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in recycled water are likely to (im)mobilize Cu by forming complexes thereby affecting the bioavailability. This work reveals that Cu-DOC complexes decreased the adsorption and bioavailability of Cu to plants and soil organisms which were evidenced by microbial respiration, earthworm toxicity and plant growth experiments. While the mobility of Cu increased with increasing levels of Cu, it depended on the extent of Cu adsorption and formation of soluble Cu-DOC complexes.