Future Recycled Water Projects

The NSW Government is actively pursuing major large scale recycled water schemes and localised recycling where it is practical and affordable. By 2015 the amount of wastewater recycled in greater Sydney will grow from the current 27 billion to around 70 billion litres a year.

Western Sydney Recycled Water Initiative

As part of the Metropolitan Water Plan a major new recycling project, the Western Sydney Recycled Water Initiative, will provide recycled water via dual reticulation to all 160,000 new homes to be built in new suburbs in Sydney's north west and south west, as well as for agriculture, industry and replicating natural river flows downstream from dams.

The north west will be the first to receive recycled water as there are already three high quality sewage treatment plants in the area. All the wastewater currently being discharged by them will be fully allocated to productive uses, with water quality improvements in the Hawkesbury-Nepean River and its tributaries. The scheme will produce 27 billion litres of recycled water a year by 2015.

Hoxton Park Recycled Water Scheme

Construction is underway for the Hoxton Park recycled water scheme. The scheme will provide high quality recycled water to the Yarrunga Industrial Area and the Panorama Estate development, as well as about 13,000 homes to be built in Edmondson Park, Middleton Grange and Ingleburn Gardens.

The scheme is expected to be running by 2011, with recycled water flows gradually increasing, as the area develops, to 1.8 billion litres to businesses and homes by 2015.

Ropes Crossing Recycled Water Scheme

Construction of dual reticulation pipelines is continuing as the new development, situated near St Mary's, expands. The Ropes Crossing Recycled Water Scheme will provide recycled water to new homes and for irrigation of local playing fields.

When the scheme is completed, it will provide 1,550 homes with up to 500 million litres of high quality recycled water a year.

The scheme is expected to start operating in 2010.

Localised recycling

In built-up areas of Sydney, new localised recycling schemes are being pursued that include reusing treated wastewater, sewer mining and stormwater harvesting.

'Sewer mining' involves obtaining untreated wastewater directly from the sewerage system. The Government has announced that the private sector and councils will be able to access billions of litres of wastewater generated in Sydney each year for innovative recycling projects. Such initiatives will see providers treating and using or distributing recycled water.

In addition to these recycling initiatives, the Government will change regulations to make it easier to recycle locally and in the home.