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Securing Our Water Supply

NSW Government's plan for the future

Sydney's population continues to grow. Meanwhile our water supply is impacted by periods of drought and may be further affected by climate change.

The NSW Government's update on its Metropolitan Water Plan secures our valuable water supply into the future by:

maximising water recycling so by 2015 the amount of wastewater recycled will grow fourfold to 70 billion litres a year for use in homes, irrigating, agriculture, industry and to mimic natural river flows downstream of dams
increasing supply by accessing deep water in our dams
encouraging water saving by households, businesses, councils and government
having drought proof solutions at the ready, such as groundwater and desalination.

Sydney Water's activities

Sydney Water plays a key role in securing our water supply by:

Recycling and reuse - Greater Sydney has more than 20 large scale schemes recycling around 22 billion litres a year to recycled water suburbs, golf courses, sportsgrounds, farms and industry.

A major new recycling project will provide recycled water via dual reticulation to all 160,000 new homes in western Sydney's new suburbs, as well as for agriculture, industry and to mimic natural river flows downstream of dams. In built-up areas of Sydney, localised recycling will include reusing treated wastewater from sewage treatment plants, sewer mining and stormwater harvesting.
Saving water - Sydney Water is helping customers save water by providing households with a free do-it-yourself water saving kit, an offer to install water saving devices, a water efficient washing machine rebate and a rainwater tank rebate. Sydney Water also provides a rainwater tank rebate for schools. For businesses we provide information on saving water, as well as a formalised water saving process for high water users.
Reducing leaks - Over four years (2005/06 - 2008/09), Sydney Water is spending $400 million to further reduce leakage. We inspect 18,000 kilometres of water mains for hidden leaks each year, are replacing around 300 kilometres of water mains and improving response times to water main breaks and leaks.

Also we are working with the Department of Education and Training to improve detection of leaks in schools.
Building a desalination plant at Kurnell, that is 100 per cent powered by renewable energy. The plant will provide 250 million litres a day of drinking water. This will keep secure Sydney's water supply into the future, with a growing population and climate change.