Future Sydney: Sydney Water plans to put recycled water in the drinking supply by 2032

Sydneysiders could be drinking purified sewage by 2032, with Sydney Water planning to spend $1bn on a water recycling facility at Quakers Hill.

Sydneysiders could be drinking purified sewage by 2032 to ensure “future water security”, with Sydney Water planning to spend $1bn on a water recycling facility at Quakers Hill.

Under the proposal, Purified Recycled Water (PRW) would eventually be pumped from Quakers Hill into the Prospect Reservoir before entering the drinking supply.

Sydney Water emphasised the need for purified wastewater in its submission to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal, seeking to hike the cost of water bills by 50 per cent over five years.

“We will save up to $2bn by pursuing PRW schemes instead of increasing the capacity of our coastal wastewater systems,” the submission said.

The water utility opened a “discovery centre” at Quakers Hill last year to spruik the benefits of recycled wastewater, which could supply a quarter of our water needs by 2056. Sydney Water intends to eventually pump 86 megalitres of PRW into the Prospect Reservoir.

The Purified Recycled Water Discovery Centre in Quakers Hill. Picture: Supplied

The plan to put recycled water in the drinking supply would need to be approved by the government; the idea has been consistently opposed by Water Minister Rose Jackson.

“At this stage, there are no immediate plans from the NSW government to introduce recycled water for drinking,” Ms Jackson said. “Greater Sydney has one of the most sophisticated water management systems in the world, but we need to continue adapting to the needs of our growing population and the changing climate, which could bring less water availability in the decades to come.”

The PRW Discovery Centre could one day put recycled water in the drinking supply. Picture: Supplied

Purified recycled water would pass through three different treatment plants before going into the drinking supply.

Currently, 80 per cent of Sydney’s water supply comes from Warragamba Dam; 15 per cent from the desalination plant. An extra 5 per cent comes from other dams and rivers.

Water Minister Rose Jackson said the government has ‘no immediate plans’ to use recycled water for drinking. Picture: John Appleyard

Sydney Water’s proposal to increase bills by 50 per cent over five years, revealed by The Daily Telegraph on Friday, will allow for $9.5 billion to be spent on new wastewater infrastructure by 2030.

That will include 20km of wastewater pipes in Sydney’s northwest, six new wastewater pumping stations from Greater Penrith to Eastern Creek, and 34 new wastewater pumping stations in the Greater Macarthur Growth Area.

Eighty per cent of Sydney’s drinking water comes from Warragamba Dam.

Sydney Water is also building a $1.2 billion water recycling centre in Kemps Creek, with engineering and construction firm John Holland.

The final section of pipeline for the facility has now been laid, and that facility will enable treated water to flow to the Nepean River to help improve waterway health.

Sydney Water’s Nicholle Sparkes said the facility will play a key role to support the Aerotropolis and nearby housing.

“It’s very exciting to see Western Sydney changing quickly, and that’s why this milestone is so important, as we work to ensure every new home and business has access to essential wastewater services,” Ms Sparkes said.

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