Wastewater systems

Wastewater is the used water and sewage that goes down sinks, toilets and outside drains. This enters the wastewater system which is owned and operated by Sydney Water. The system is made up of 24,000 kilometres of pipes, treatment plants and pumping stations. Another 20,000 kilometres of pipes are located on private land owned by customers.

The wastewater system consists of 24 separate systems. These are licensed by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) which sets performance standards and monitoring requirements.

Most of the system is gravity fed, following natural catchment drainage lines, although transport to treatment plants is assisted by 670 pumping stations.

Once the wastewater arrives at the treatment plants, located near the ocean or a river, the wastewater is then treated and discharged to waterways, or in some cases, recycled.

Other waste materials collected at the treatment plants such as grit, which can-not be recycled is sent to landfill.

Environmental Protection Licences

The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has issued Environmental Protection Licences for all Sydney Water wastewater systems.

We maintain a register of information for each licenced Sewerage treatment system. This register includes:

• Maps showing the relevant Sydney Water infrastructure
• The catchments, sub-catchments and sensitive areas in the wastewater system
• The number and location of choices within the system reported to Sydney Water
• A schedule of proposed works and of works completed
• Complaints received regarding overflows.

These registers are available for viewing at our head office in Parramatta. To arrange to see them, please contact Sydney Water on 13 20 92.