Upper South Creek Advanced Water Recycling Centre

Supporting population and economic growth

We're constructing one of the Southern Hemisphere's most advanced wastewater recycling facilities: the Upper South Creek Advanced Water Recycling Centre in Kemps Creek.


About this project

We're building the Upper South Creek Advanced Water Recycling Centre (AWRC) and associated pipelines in Kemps Creek to support population and economic growth in Western Sydney. It's our largest infrastructure investment in Western Sydney that will provide the foundation for a circular economy hub in the Parkland City.

When completed in 2026, the AWRC and its associated pipelines will support the population and economic growth of Western Sydney including the Western Sydney International Airport and the designated growth areas (South West Growth Area and Western Sydney Aerotropolis Growth Area).

As part of the process of treating wastewater, the AWRC will produce large volumes of high quality water suitable for a wide range of non-drinking uses in homes and businesses, for various industrial and agricultural uses, and for watering public open spaces.

Given its high quality, treated water will also be transferred via a new water pipeline and released to the Nepean River to help sustain important river ecosystems. The remaining waste from the AWRC will be transferred via a new brine pipeline to the existing wastewater network at Lansdowne.

The AWRC is our largest infrastructure investment in Western Sydney, and will provide a foundation for a circular economy precinct in the region.

The project's scope includes:

  • new advanced water recycling centre in Kemps Creek

  • pipeline to release high quality treated water to the Nepean River at Wallacia

  • pipeline to take the plant's saline by-product (brine) to the existing wastewater network at Landsdowne

  • associated ancillary infrastructure.

Benefits

When completed in 2026, the AWRC will deliver sustainable wastewater services and high quality recycled water to support a cooler, greener Western Parkland City. Key benefits for the local community include:

  • efficient and cost-effective wastewater services
  • reliable wastewater services to support approximately 400,000 people by 2056
  • potential to recycle organic waste to generate energy
  • rainfall-independent water supply for residences, business, industry, agriculture and irrigation
  • capacity to treat up to 70 megalitres of wastewater per day, providing an ability to service future growth in the region
  • protection of local waterways and aquatic ecosystems via environmental flows
  • production of biosolids for an alternative to chemical fertilisers in agriculture
  • enhanced biodiversity by greening Western Sydney with recycled water
  • Four-megawatt solar farm allows the facility to be 50% energy self-sufficient
  • 1,000 new jobs created during construction.

Impacts

Our delivery partner John Holland is working hard to minimise the impacts of our construction activities on the community. With construction of the treated water and brine pipelines now complete, most construction impacts have now passed.

However, the AWRC located off Badu Muru Grove in Kemps Creek remains under construction. Nearby residents may still experience temporary traffic changes and minor construction impacts.

Working hours

Our working hours are 7am–6pm Monday to Friday and 8am–1pm on Saturdays (except public holidays). We will notify affected people in advance if we need to work outside these hours.


Project timeline

2021: EIS preparation
In 2021, we prepared an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to describe the project and assess its environmental and community impacts.
2021: Public exhibition
EIS submitted to the Department of Planning and Environment (DPE). It was put on public exhibition from 21 October to 17 November 2021.
2023: State and Commonwealth approvals
In early 2023, the project was approved by the State and Commonwealth governments.
2023: Construction planning
With the relevant State and Commonwealth approvals granted, the project moved into construction planning. We prepared construction environmental management plans and early works, and conducted heritage investigations.
2023: Construction commenced
The project started construction in August 2023.
2026: Completion
We expect the project to be completed in 2026.


Project updates

26 February 2025
Nightwork on Badu Muru Grove, Kemps Creek

Sydney Water crews will be completing a cut-over of a water main on Badu Muru Grove (formerly known as Paper Road), Kemps Creek on Friday 28 February 2025, weather permitting. Working hours will be 6pm–7am.

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21 February 2025
March work look ahead – pipelines and AWRC

In March 2025, work is planned for the AWRC and along our pipeline alignment spanning from Wallacia, Kemps Creek, Cecil Hills, Mount Pritchard, Cabramatta West, Cabramatta, Lansdowne and Lansvale. This includes standard hours and out-of-hours works. We work outside our standard construction hours to reduce the impact on traffic, manage oversized deliveries, increase safety for workers and ensure the quality of the asset being built.

Read more
28 January 2025
February work look ahead – pipelines and AWRC

In February 2025, work is planned for the AWRC and along our pipeline alignment spanning from Wallacia, Luddenham, Badgerys Creek, Kemps Creek, Cecil Hills, Bonnyrigg, Cabramatta West, Cabramatta, Canley Vale, Fairfield, Lansdowne and Lansvale. This includes standard hours and out-of-hours works. We work outside our standard construction hours to reduce the impact on traffic, manage oversized deliveries, increase safety for workers and ensure the quality of the asset being built.

Read more
20 December 2024
January work look ahead – pipelines and AWRC

In January 2025, work is planned for the AWRC and along our pipeline alignment spanning from Wallacia, Luddenham, Badgerys Creek, Kemps Creek, Cecil Hills, Bonnyrigg, Cabramatta West, Cabramatta, Canley Vale, Fairfield, Lansdowne and Lansvale. This includes standard hours and out-of-hours works. We work outside our standard construction hours to reduce the impact on traffic, manage oversized deliveries, increase safety for workers and ensure the quality of the asset being built.

Read more
21 November 2024
December work look ahead – pipelines and AWRC

We'd like to thank the community for their patience and support as we have built 41 kilometres of pipeline between Wallacia and Lansdowne. In December, we will continue to build the AWRC at Kemps Creek, complete minor repairs and landscaping along the pipeline alignment, and demobilise temporary work compounds. We'll be taking a brief break over the holiday season. No construction will occur at the AWRC from 6pm Friday 20 December 2024 until 7am Monday 6 January 2025.

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18 November 2024
Aerotropolis community drop-in session 23 November

We hope you can join us to learn more about projects in the Western Sydney Aerotropolis and Mamre Road precincts.

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25 October 2024
Annual Sustainability Report – AWRC and pipelines

We're excited to share our first annual Sustainability Report for the Upper South Creek Advanced Water Recycling Centre and pipelines.

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24 October 2024
November work look ahead – pipelines and AWRC

In November, work is planned for the AWRC and along our pipeline alignment spanning from Wallacia, Luddenham, Badgerys Creek, Kemps Creek, Cecil Hills, Bonnyrigg, Cabramatta West, Cabramatta, Canley Vale, Fairfield, Lansdowne and Lansvale. This includes standard hours and out-of-hours works. We work outside our standard construction hours to reduce the impact on traffic, manage oversized deliveries, increase safety for workers and ensure the quality of the asset being built.

Read more
23 October 2024
October work look ahead – pipelines and AWRC

In October, work is planned for the AWRC and along our pipeline alignment spanning from Wallacia, Luddenham, Badgerys Creek, Kemps Creek, Cecil Hills, Bonnyrigg Heights, Bonnyrigg, Mount Pritchard, Cabramatta West, Cabramatta, Canley Vale, Fairfield, and Lansvale. This includes standard hours and out-of-hours works. We work outside our standard construction hours to reduce the impact on traffic, manage oversized deliveries, increase safety for workers and ensure the quality of the asset being built.

Read more
21 August 2024
September work look ahead – pipelines and AWRC

In September, work is planned for the AWRC and along our pipeline alignment spanning from Wallacia, Luddenham, Badgerys Creek, Kemps Creek, Cecil Hills, Bonnyrigg Heights, Bonnyrigg, Mount Pritchard, Cabramatta West, Cabramatta, Canley Vale, Fairfield, and Lansvale. This includes standard hours and out-of-hours works. We work outside our standard construction hours to reduce the impact on traffic, manage oversized deliveries, increase safety for workers and ensure the quality of the asset being built.

Read more
23 July 2024
August work look ahead – pipelines and AWRC

In August, work is planned for the AWRC and along our pipeline alignment spanning from Wallacia, Luddenham, Badgerys Creek, Kemps Creek, Cecil Hills, Bonnyrigg Heights, Bonnyrigg, Mount Pritchard, Cabramatta West, Cabramatta, Canley Vale, Fairfield, and Lansvale. This includes standard hours and out-of-hours works. We work outside our standard construction hours to reduce the impact on traffic, manage oversized deliveries, increase safety for workers and ensure the quality of the asset being built.

Read more
20 June 2024
July work look ahead – pipelines and AWRC

In July, work is planned for the Advanced Water Recycling Centre (AWRC) and along our pipeline alignment spanning from Wallacia, Luddenham, Badgerys Creek, Kemps Creek, Cecil Hills, Bonnyrigg Heights, Bonnyrigg, Mount Pritchard, Cabramatta West, Cabramatta, Canley Vale, Fairfield, and Lansvale. This includes standard hours and out- of-hours works. We work outside our standard construction hours to reduce the impact on traffic, manage oversized deliveries, increase safety for workers and ensure the quality of the asset being built.

Read more
18 June 2024
June work look ahead – pipelines and AWRC

In June, work is planned for the AWRC and along our pipeline alignment spanning from Wallacia, Luddenham, Badgerys Creek, Kemps Creek, Cecil Hills, Bonnyrigg Heights, Bonnyrigg, Mount Pritchard, Cabramatta West, Cabramatta, Canley Vale, Fairfield and Lansvale. This includes standard hours and out-of-hours works. We work outside our standard construction hours to reduce the impact on traffic, manage oversized deliveries, increase safety for workers and ensure the quality of the asset being built.

Read more
18 June 2024
May work look ahead – pipelines and AWRC

In May, work is planned for the AWRC and along our pipeline alignment spanning from Wallacia, Luddenham, Badgerys Creek, Kemps Creek, Cecil Hills, Bonnyrigg Heights, Bonnyrigg, Mount Pritchard, Cabramatta West, Cabramatta, Canley Vale, Fairfield and Lansvale. This includes standard hours and out-of-hours works. We work outside our standard construction hours to reduce the impact on traffic, manage oversized deliveries, increase safety for workers and ensure the quality of the asset being built.

Read more
23 May 2024
Upcoming nightwork and traffic diversions on Park Road, Wallacia

We're carrying out pipeline installation on Park Road between William Street and James Street between Monday 27 May and Friday 13 July, from 8pm to 5am, weather permitting. We will work Monday to Friday at this location.

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18 April 2024
Get Back on Track in Western Sydney Parklands

We are continuing with our pipeline construction work within Western Sydney Parklands to install a 3-kilometre section of the brine like from the Upper South Creek Advanced Water Recycling Centre. We would like to thank the Western Sydney Parklands for working with us to minimise our impact on the newly opened Gabrugal Yana bushwalk.

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12 April 2024
Community Day - 4 May 2024

We're planning and building projects across Western Sydney to support communities and deliver sustainable water resources.

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27 February 2024
Working with Western Sydney Parklands

We're continuing our pipeline construction work within Western Sydney Parklands to install a 3-kilometre section of the brine line from the Upper South Creek AWRC. We'd like to thank the Western Sydney Parklands for working with us to minimise our impact on the newly opened Gabrugal Yana bushwalk.

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23 February 2024
March work look ahead – pipelines and AWRC

In March, work is planned for the AWRC and along our pipeline alignment spanning from Wallacia, Luddenham, Badgerys Creek, Kemps Creek, Cecil Hills, Bonnyrigg Heights, Bonnyrigg, Mount Pritchard, Cabramatta West, Cabramatta, Canley Vale, Fairfield and Lansvale. This includes standard hours and out-of-hours works. We work outside our standard construction hours to reduce the impact on traffic, manage oversized deliveries, increase safety for workers and ensure the quality of the asset being built.

Read more
25 January 2024
February work look ahead – pipelines and AWRC

In February, work is planned for the AWRC and along our pipeline alignment spanning from Wallacia, Luddenham, Badgerys Creek, Kemps Creek, Cecil Hills, Bonnyrigg Heights, Bonnyrigg, Mount Pritchard, Cabramatta West, Cabramatta, Canley Vale, Fairfield and Lansvale. This includes standard hours and out-of-hours works. We work outside our standard construction hours to reduce the impact on traffic, manage oversized deliveries, increase safety for workers and ensure the quality of the asset being built.

Read more
15 December 2023
January work look ahead – pipelines and AWRC

In January, work is planned for the AWRC and along our pipeline alignment spanning from Wallacia, Luddenham, Badgerys Creek, Kemps Creek, Cecil Hills, Bonnyrigg Heights, Bonnyrigg, Cabramatta West, Cabramatta, Canley Vale and Fairfield. This includes standard hours and out-of-hours works. We work outside our standard construction hours to reduce the impact on traffic, manage oversized deliveries, increase safety for workers and ensure the quality of the asset being built.

Read more
24 November 2023
December work look ahead – pipelines and AWRC

In December, work is planned for the AWRC and along our pipeline alignment spanning from Wallacia, Luddenham, Badgerys Creek, Kemps Creek, Cecil Hills, Bonnyrigg Heights, Bonnyrigg, Cabramatta West, Cabramatta, Canley Vale and Fairfield. This includes standard hours and out-of-hours works. We work outside our standard construction hours to reduce the impact on traffic, manage oversized deliveries, increase safety for workers and ensure the quality of the asset being built.

Read more
02 November 2023
November out-of-hours work look ahead – pipelines and AWRC

In November, out-of-hours work is planned for the Advanced Water Recycling Centre (AWRC) and along our pipeline alignment in Cecil Hills, Bonnyrigg Heights, Bonnyrigg and Cabramatta West.

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24 October 2023
One-month work look ahead – November 2023

Work will continue into November at both the AWRC and associated pipelines that travel from Kemps Creek heading west to Wallacia, and Kemps Creek heading east to Lansdowne.

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24 October 2023
Upcoming pipe laying work in Western Sydney Parklands

The Upper South Creek AWRC project is working closely with the Western Sydney Parklands as the project progresses.

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20 October 2023
AWRC one-month out-of-hours work notification – November 2023

Work is progressing as we continue to build the AWRC in Kemps Creek and the associated pipelines from Kemps Creek to Lansdowne and Kemps Creek to Wallacia.

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13 October 2023
Modification 2 of Upper South Creek AWRC project scope

As detailed design and construction planning progressed, Sydney Water and its delivery partner John Holland identified several opportunities to reduce the project's environmental and community impact. This included avoiding some impacts to threatened biodiversity and heritage as well as reducing impact to the community by simplifying some construction activities.

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29 September 2023
One-month work look ahead – October

We're continuing work to build the AWRC and the pipelines that extend east from Kemps Creek to Lansdowne and west from Kemps Creek to Wallacia.

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15 September 2023
Utility investigation work – Edensor Road and Harrington Street, Cabramatta West

Our delivery partner John Holland will be completing investigation work by potholing to confirm the location of underground utilities on Edensor Road and Harrington Street, Cabramatta West. The information gathered from these investigations will ensure that pipeline installation will be completed safely.

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15 September 2023
Temporary site compound establishment - notification

Our delivery partner John Holland will establish temporary site compounds across multiple locations within the pipeline alignment as part of the Upper South Creek AWRC. The temporary compounds will support construction of the pipeline infrastructure, which extends east from Kemps Creek to Lansdowne and west from Kemps Creek to Wallacia.

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07 September 2023
Community Day – 23 September 2023

We're planning and building projects across Western Sydney to support communities and deliver sustainable water resources.

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10 August 2023
Community Day – 26 August 2023

Want to learn more about our projects and construction activity in the Southwest Sydney and Aerotropolis areas?

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31 July 2023
Start of construction from Monday 7 August 2023

Our delivery partner John Holland will start construction at the AWRC and on the treated water and brine pipelines from around Monday 7 August 2023.

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25 July 2023
Feedback on construction impacts – closes 6 August 2023

While our Delivery Partner John Holland is building the AWRC and pipelines, construction activities will generate impacts that may be disruptive to the community at times.

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28 June 2023
Night utility investigation work

Our delivery partner John Holland will be completing investigation work by potholing to confirm the location of underground utilities along the route of the brine pipeline in Kemps Creek, Cecil Hills, Green Valley, Bonnyrigg, Bonnyrigg Heights, Cabramatta West and Canley Vale.

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28 June 2023
Daytime utility investigation work

Our delivery partner John Holland will be completing investigation work by potholing to confirm the location of underground utilities along the route of the brine and treated water pipelines in Canley Vale, Luddenham and Wallacia.

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23 June 2023
Draft Urban Design and Landscape Plan (UDLP)

We have prepared a draft UDLP to set the strategy and design for the urban landscape and design at the AWRC. The UDLP focuses on the development of Stage 1 of the project (operational site) however considers opportunities for engagement around the future masterplan for green space (Stage 2) with relevant stakeholders.

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05 June 2023
Modification of Upper South Creek AWRC project scope

The environmental flows pipeline was initially planned to support waterway health by releasing highly treated water into the Nepean and Hawkesbury rivers. However, this will now be achieved by releasing the same water via the treated water pipeline, removing the need to build the environmental flows pipeline.

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06 May 2023
Community drop-In information session

We hosted a community drop-in information session on Saturday, 6 May 2023 at the Bringelly Community Centre to give the community an opportunity to learn more about the AWRC and other projects in the area.

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26 April 2023
Community update – April 2023

Having received NSW State and Federal government approval for the AWRC project, we're now undertaking early work to prepare for construction.

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24 October 2022
World-class water recycling facility for Western Sydney

Sydney Water has awarded a contract to build one of the most advanced wastewater recycling facilities in the Southern Hemisphere in Western Sydney.

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19 October 2022
Upper South Creek Advanced Water Recycling Centre and Pipelines

Survey and ground investigations in your area from November 2022

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23 March 2022
Upper South Creek AWRC Amendment Report open for comment

An Amendment Report to Sydney Water’s Upper South Creek AWRC Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is going on public exhibition on the NSW Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) website(External link) from Wednesday, 23 March until Tuesday, 5 April.

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04 November 2021
Upper South Creek AWRC EIS Overview Brochure CALD

To support the exhibition of the Upper South Creek and AWRC Environmental Impact Statement, Sydney Water has developed a brochure that summarises the EIS

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21 October 2021
NSW Department of Industry, Planning and Environment EIS Exhibition

NSW Department of Industry, Planning and Environment (DPIE) is currently exhibiting the Upper South Creek and AWRC Environmental Impact Statement for public comment. The EIS assesses the project’s impacts and outlines how they will be managed.

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14 October 2021
Community Information Sessions

Sydney Water hosted two online information sessions during the exhibition period to help the community better understand the impacts outlined in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

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15 July 2021
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse online community information sessions

Sydney Water held three culturally and linguistically diverse online community information sessions to allow members of the community to get an update on the project, ask questions, and tell us what they thought about the project.

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28 June 2021
SYDNEY LOCKDOWN: Luddenham pop up stall postponed

We postponed the community pop up information session

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24 June 2021
Mulgoa and Cabramatta pop up stalls postponed due to COVID-19

With the safety of the community and our people top of mind, due to the evolving COVID-19 situation in Sydney. 

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21 May 2021
Coming to a café, shop or hall near you

Sydney Water hosted multiple 'pop-up' information sessions between Saturday 5 June 2021 and Saturday 3rd July 2021, where the community were given the opportunity to come and meet the team and tell us what they thought about the proposed Advanced Water Recycling Centre’s design.

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21 October 2021
Online information sessions

Sydney Water hosted four online information sessions to allow the community to hear more about the Upper South Creek project.

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13 January 2021
Tell us what you think

Sydney Water hosted multiple community information session between 19th January 2021 to 7th February 2021, to provide an update on the project, allow members of the community to ask questions, and tell us what they think about the project.
The proposed Advanced Water Recycling Centre at Kemps Creek, just north of Elizabeth Drive will provide essential wastewater services for the West and South West Sydney for generations to come.

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18 August 2020
Going beyond traditional water services in Western Sydney

We celebrated a big milestone with the submission of the Upper South Creek Advanced Water Recycling Centre (AWRC) Scoping Report to the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE). Visit Upper South Creek's page on the planning portal to access a copy of the Scoping Report

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27 March 2020
Planning for growth in Western Sydney: investigation activities

Sydney Water is expanding our services to support future growth in Western Sydney. As part of this process, we need to carry out geotechnical investigations to help determine the best location for the new infrastructure.

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27 March 2020
Planning for growth in Western Sydney: geotechnical investigations

Sydney Water is expanding our services to support future growth in South Western Sydney. As part of this process, we need to carry out geotechnical investigations close to properties in South West Sydney to help determine the best location for the new infrastructure.

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More information 

Newsletters and notifications 

Past community updates

Past start of work notices

Related documents

Approvals and licences

Maps

Construction management plans

Community agreements

Culturally and linguistically diverse fact sheets

Noise and vibration


FAQs

When operating at maximum capacity, the facility will treat around 70 megalitres (approximately 28 Olympic-size swimming pools) of wastewater each day and produce high quality treated water for sustainable, non-drinking water.

Wastewater will be transported to the Upper South Creek AWRC for treatment via a network of pipelines, some of which have already been constructed, as well as new pipelines, mains and pumping stations that are under construction or planned to be constructed.

The centre will centralise the treatment of all wastewater generated in the Upper South Creek Servicing Area, which includes homes and businesses in Austral, Leppington North, parts of Leppington, parts of Catherine Fields North, Rossmore and Kemps Creek. Some parts of these areas are connected to our Liverpool and West Camden water resource recovery facilities, which are reaching capacity. This, combined with the rapid growth and development of the region support the need to provide additional wastewater capacity by constructing the AWRC.

When the AWRC is completed in 2026, it will be able to treat a daily wastewater flow of up to 35 megalitres a day. The associated pipelines, however, will cater for up to 70 megalitres a day so that the AWRC can be expanded in the future to treat an increased flow to align with growth in demand in the servicing area.

We build major infrastructure and trunk pipelines as part of our network. Trunk pipes are large water and wastewater pipelines that customers can't connect directly into. After trunk mains are built, developers or property owners need to build the next stage of pipelines, called reticulation or lead-in pipelines, to connect services to individual properties. Visit connections and disconnections or plumbing, building and developing to find out more.

We support the use of recycled water and/or harvested stormwater to meet non-drinking demands. We're in the early phase of planning recycled water service from the AWRC. The recycling scheme and timing are subject to the outcome of the planning study.

Learn more about our growth servicing plan.

Further information about potential demand for non-drinking water helps us in our investigations. Please email us to register your interest.

The Upper South Creek AWRC will meet world-best practices for wastewater treatment by using the highest level of treatment. It uses reverse osmosis (the same technology used by our desalination plant) in addition to a membrane bioreactor to treat water to a high quality.

Learn more about wastewater treatment and water recycling.