Service difficulties
and emergency
service: 13 20 90
Recycling Water For Irrigating
By 2015, recycling will provide 12% of greater Sydney's water needs.
Irrigating with recycled water is a cost effective way to save our precious drinking water.
Irrigation schemes are designed to deliver the right amount of recycled water to keep sportsgrounds, parks, golf courses and public areas in good condition, without over watering.
By using recycled water for irrigation, it also helps to provide valuable nutrients for plant growth, reducing the need to use chemical ferilisers.
Treating recycled water
Recycled water is treated so it's safe to use. There are many steps involved in treating recycled water for use on farms, sports fields, parks and golf courses. This may include biological treatment, sand filtration, micro-filtration, chlorination and ultraviolet disinfection.
Recycled water irrigation schemes
The amount of recycled water used in greater Sydney varies, depending on the weather and other factors. Sydney Water recycles an average of 2.5 billion litres of treated wastewater each year to irrigate farms, golf courses, sportsgrounds, parks and a racecourse.
Current recycled water irrigation schemes and their yearly forecast of recycled water usage include:
| Types of recycled water irrigation schemes | Customers | Forecast average yearly water use (ML) |
| Farms | Aorangi Farm - Gerringong/Gerroa | 160 |
| Carlton Farm, Picton | 520 | |
| Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute | 1000 | |
| Parks and sportsgrounds | Penrith Council sportsgrounds | 20 |
| Warwick Farm Racecourse | 50 | |
| University of Western Sydney - Hawkesbury Campus | 250 | |
| Golf courses | Ashlar Golf Club | 130 |
| Castle Hill Country Club | 130 | |
| Dunheved Golf Club | 80 | |
| Kiama Golf Club | 125 | |
| Liverpool Golf Club | 60 | |
| Richmond Golf Club | 115 |
More schemes underway
Further recycled water irrigation schemes are being developed.
- Wollongong Council - Recycled water will be used for irrigation at Greenhouse Park, JJ Kelly Park and Vikings Rugby Club.
- Cronulla - Recycled water will be used to irrigate sports fields, parks, golf courses and schools.