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Drinking water for tomorrow
We're exploring purified recycled water (PRW) as a future water source. Together with desalination, PRW could support our dams in delivering high quality drinking water.
What is PRW?
PRW is water recycled from industry and homes (including from kitchens, showers and toilets) that has been purified to meet strict Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling to supplement drinking water sources.
Drinking water made from PRW is triple-treated, passing through 3 different treatment processes before reaching the customer.
Learn more about our proposed PRW project: Securing our water supply – Quakers Hill to Prospect.
Why we're exploring PRW
We've been providing world-class water services to Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the Illawarra for more than 135 years. However, with climate change and an increased demand on our services, we need to think about water differently. To ensure a resilient, reliable and rainfall-independent source for the future, we're exploring PRW as a key part of our strategy. PRW has the potential to provide as much as 25% of Greater Sydney's water needs by 2056.
Any future decision to include PRW as part of our drinking water supply involves ongoing community consultation and requires stringent government approvals.
The PRW treatment process
PRW would only enter our drinking water network following a stringent process. All our treatment processes have continuous online monitoring so we can be sure all the performance parameters are met.
Proposed process for PRW in Greater Sydney
Step 1: Home, business and industry
- Water is used in kitchens, showers, toilets and washing machines.
Step 2: Water resource recovery facility
- Wastewater is treated through multiple processes to produce recycled water.
Step 3: Purified recycled water treatment process
- Ultrafiltration removes microorganisms, suspected particles and large molecules.
- Reverse osmosis removes viruses and most chemicals.
- UV disinfection and advanced oxidation eliminate any remaining microorganisms.
- Chlorination ensures both the water and pipes are free from any remaining microorganisms.
Step 4: Dams and reservoirs
- PRW is returned to a dam or river and mixed with raw water.
Step 5: Water filtration plant
- Water is then filtered and chlorinated before it's added to the drinking water network. This water meets the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.
PRW around the world
People in over 35 cities around the world have been safely drinking purified recycled water for more than 50 years. These include Singapore, some cities in California, and even Perth in Western Australia. You can see all the cities drinking PRW by viewing the Global connections map.
Visit our Purified Recycled Water Discovery Centre
We built the PRW Discovery Centre at Quakers Hill near Blacktown so you'd have the opportunity to see how some purified recycled water treatment technology works.
The PRW Discovery Centre is the first of its kind in NSW. It highlights the safety of our processes, and the range of environmental and cost benefits of using PRW to supplement our drinking water supply. It can host small groups, schools, universities/TAFE and community group tours. Tours are free.
- Book a free one-hour tour for a weekday to see the process in action and speak with our experts.
- Take a virtual tour if you can't make it in person.
To learn more about our school and homeschool curriculum-linked excursion programs and make a booking, email the education team at education@sydneywater.com.au.
For enquiries about the Discovery Centre, email prwdiscoverycentre@sydneywater.com.au.
How to get to the PRW Discovery Centre
Address: 240 Quakers Road, Quakers Hill 2763
- Continue straight to Gate 1 'Welcome to the Purified Recycled Water Discovery Centre'.
- Press and hold the intercom button located on the right side of the road. A Community Education Officer will open the gate.
- Enter through the gate and park in the first car park on the right, opposite the PRW Discovery Centre.
About the site
The PRW Discovery Centre is close to the Quakers Hill Water Resource Recovery Facility, where wastewater is tertiary-treated before it's returned to the environment or enters the PRW Discovery Centre.
What to wear and bring
- You must wear sturdy, fully enclosed, flat-soled shoes (no sandals, thongs, ballet flats or heels). Long pants are preferred.
- Safety glasses will be provided for a section of the tour. If you have your own, you're welcome to bring them.