We’ve been working to improve the wastewater system off Barney Street, Kiama, to help reduce wastewater overflows on private properties during wet weather events.

When we started in February 2022, we honestly thought our project would be finished by now and the new Emergency Relief Structure (ERS) that we’ve been building would be operational.

Unfortunately this project has not gone to plan and we’ve had a number of setbacks. The latest being deficiencies found in the Epoxy coating applied to the new ERS. Repairs will need to be made to this coating to ensure it functions as intended into the future.

The remaining work on site includes:

• remediation of the Epoxy coating inside the ERS
• test and commission the new ERS
• installation of safety screens beneath the concrete lids.

We’ll be starting to do these activities from Monday 12 February and will try to finish as soon as we can. Due to the nature of the remaining work, it will happen intermittently, and residents will notice some temporary ATF fencing around the ERS from time to time. We’ll aim to leave this in place for as short a time as possible.

Access to the beach, shared pathways, car park, picnic tables and showers will not be affected.

We sincerely appreciate the cooperation from the community that we’ve continued to receive and we apologise that this project has taken longer than originally expected.

Barney Street car park and reserve restored December 2022

Timeline photos

Overview of the ERS excavation site
May 2022

Existing concrete encased clay wastewater pipe that needs to be replaced
May 2022

24 hour bypass pump arrangement ready for use in July 2022

Installing shoring (reinforcement) using a crane at the new ERS site in June 2022

Cutting into the existing live concrete encased wastewater main where the new ERS will be constructed in July 2022

New wastewater pipe that was installed to replace the old clay concrete encased pipe. The new ERS will be build around this pipe.
August 2022

Progressive concrete pours to construct the new ERS up to existing ground levels.
August 2022

Preparation of next concrete pour as new ERS is constructed.
September 2022

Continued backfilling of excavation site as new ERS is constructed.
September 2022

Instillation of new culvert.
October 2022

Excavation backfill nearing completion.
October 2022

Gatic lids partially installed, waiting to be filled in with concrete to provide finished surface
November 2022

Restoration of garden bed at entrance to car park
December 2022

Restoration of car park

December 2022

Bombo WRRF is located on a 20.4 ha site in a former quarry on Bombo headland off Darien Avenue. The facility serves the townships of Kiama Heights, Kiama, Bombo, Kiama Downs, and Minnamurra. In 2005, flows from Jamberoo were transferred to the facility.

The facility was constructed in 1984 as a secondary wastewater treatment plant using intermittently decanted aeration lagoons (IDAL) as the secondary treatment facility. A cliff face underwater ocean outfall was constructed in 1984 to dispose of the treated wastewater to the South Pacific Ocean.

In 1993, two catch ponds were constructed to facilitate attenuation of decanted wastewater flows and to capture solids if sludge is carried over during the wastewater decant phase.

In March 2005, a new fourth IDAL, an extra step screen, grit tank and two additional sludge tanks were added.

The Bombo WRRF produces biosolids. This involves dewatering one of the facilities sludge lagoons, bringing in heavy machinery to deliver a mobile centrifuge used to create the biosolids, and load the end product into semi-trailers to remove from site. Currently 100% of the biosolids produced at our facility are beneficially re-used in agriculture, forestry, and land rehabilitation.

This activity happens every five to six months, with the next dewatering process to start in March 2024, taking about three weeks to finish. Unfortunately there may be intermittent odours during this time and we apologise for the inconvenience this may cause local residents, but we do appreciate your patience and understanding as we complete this work as quickly as possible.

Bombo Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) on Bombo Headland

Bombo WRRF Update July 2023

Last year, Sydney Water completed an extensive odour monitoring program from which, a report was developed that outlined a number of odour reducing project options.

These options are currently being planned and will be delivered by Sydney Water in stages over the next three years.

Current short term works include:

• Finalising the design of an active carbon filter on the inlet works exhaust system, due to be installed in 2024.
• Finalising plans to install a chemical dosing system to neutralise odours from the lagoons, with installation planned for 2024.

Both these projects are designed to reduce odour emissions from the Bombo facility.

Completed short term works:

Sydney Water has been proactively working to ensure odour from the Bombo WRRF is controlled as much as possible. The following activities have been completed:

• all drains around inlet works of the plant has been covered.

• leachate from the grit/screenings bin has been plumbed and sealed

• all vents have been sealed

• grit withdrawal has been programmed to only occur at night.

We are currently finalising our long term plans for Bombo WRRF, once these have been confirmed, we will provide the community with an update.

Dewatering in August:

At Bombo, we produce organic solids (sludge) during the wastewater treatment process. This sludge is collected and processed to convert it into a safe fertilizer product called biosolids.

We use sludge lagoons to break down and stabilise the sludge. This makes nutrients available to plants and reduces pathogens and odour.

Finally, we use a high-speed centrifuge to remove water from the biosolids (dewatering), making it easier to transport in trucks.

The next dewatering is scheduled for this August and during this time there may be a slight increase in odour because of this process. To minimise the impact on our community, we will have odour neutralising spray system setup around the dewatering operations.

Reporting Odour

If you’re experiencing odour issues you can let us know using a short online form or by clicking report odour . This is the quickest way to submit your experience and for us to respond.

Where do I get more information and help?

If you would like to be kept informed about the project and receive updates via email and/or SMS, please provide us your details by clicking here

If you would like to know more, please contact our community engagement team on 1800 006 113 (option 6) or email us at Delivering4Customers@sydneywater.com.au.

Thank you for your cooperation during this essential work.

Bombo WRRF Update February 2023

Recent Odour Issues

There was an increase in odour at the Bombo Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) in January. This odour was coming from one of the sludge lagoons that was brought online on 11 December 2022.

Bombo WRRF operates sludge lagoons as part of the treatment process to capture solids in line with its NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) licence. The plant operates up to two lagoons based on demand. At the time of the odour, one of the lagoons was full and the second was required to come online to maintain performance. When a lagoon comes online, it can take several weeks for a crust to form on the surface and cap odours.

The crust that had been developing, was softened by rainfall on 30 and 31 December 2022. Strong winds in the subsequent days also impeded the re-formation of the crust, potentially allowing odour to emanate from the lagoon. The operations team monitor the formation of the crust and it is checked daily during operating hours.

With the recent dry weather, the crust has thickened and is developing well with local odour subsiding. As the crust continues to develop on the lagoon over the coming weeks, it will greatly assist in reducing potential odour impacts.

Future Plans

Sydney Water is working to reduce odour around the Bombo Water Resource Recovery Facility by covering all drains around the plant and sealing all vents.

An upgrade to the facility, which will further reduce odour issues, has been approved and will be completed in stages over the next three years. We will provide the community with an update on these plans in the coming weeks.

Kiama Downs Rising Main Project

A temporary pipe was installed on the ground along Cliff Drive, Kiama Downs, eight years ago. Although this was a temporary solution following a landslide which caused permanent damage to the original rising main aqueduct, the pipe is sound and inspected regularly.

The replacement project has proven to be complex, involving multiple stakeholders and landowners. It is also a site with unstable ground conditions, difficult access and is adjacent to a rail corridor.

In collaboration with Transport for NSW, investigation work including geotechnical surveys has been completed. An options assessment and an options report identifying a solution is also complete. Draft design drawings for the identified solution have been prepared.

The project team is progressing with stakeholder engagement to get agreement on the preferred solution, access arrangements, site setup/construction area, and work towards delivering this project as a priority.

Need to contact us?

The Kiama Growth Servicing Project looks to address today's needs and those further down the track

Our planning not only looks at the long-term, but also works to address current needs. That’s why we’ve recently finished an options assessment for the Kiama Growth Servicing Project.

The aim of the project was to determine the preferred servicing option that will:

• provide integrated water services to new dwellings for the next five to 15 years

• comply with the Environmental Protection Licence (EPL) for wet and dry weather flow requirements while supporting growth

• minimise impact of integrated water services on the community, public health and the environment.

Upon delivery of the infrastructure, the benefits will include:

• providing timely water-related services to new developments

• reducing the frequency of wet weather overflows from our network.

We'll soon be starting preliminary designs at which time we'll reach out and talk to external stakeholders, the local community and directly affected residents.

Along with the Kiama Growth Servicing Project, we're also re-imagining the role of water for Illawarra region and developing a Regional Master Plan that will support the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment's (DPIE’s) Draft Illawarra Shoalhaven Regional Plan.

Our Master Plan will set the long-term (40 years) direction to address future challenges and opportunities, and to explore the broader value of water for the community and environment. The consideration for servicing options will go beyond the basic water supply – collection system, and will look to integrate and enhance the economic value of water for water sensitivities in the Illawarra region.

Remember, if your property can't currently connect to the Sydney Water wastewater network, you'll need to install and operate an on-site wastewater management system. And you’ll need Council approval to do this. More information can be found on Council’s website here.

Overflows at Kendalls Beach and Black Beach during our most recent heavy rain events remind us that everyone has a part to play to help protect our wastewater network. And it begins in the home.

What you can do to help

Only flush the “three Ps” down your toilet:

• pee
• poo
• paper (toilet paper!).
  
  
  

Don’t flush:

• wipes
• cotton buds
• nappies
• dental floss
• tissues
• hygiene products
• paper towels
• medicine.

Also remember, you shouldn’t connect your property’s stormwater drainage to your wastewater drainage. These cross-connections increase flow in our wastewater network during wet weather which can lead to overflow events like those recently seen at Kendalls Beach and Black Beach.

A vice-like grip known as a "clam shell" is used to pull out incorrectly flushed items that should be thrown away with normal household rubbish. These truck-mounted machines pull out thousands of kilos of wet wipes and other unwanted materials that damage our networks and harm the environment.

What happens if you flush more than the three Ps?

What you do and don’t flush matters! Anything flushed outside the three Ps (pee, poo and toilet paper) chokes our network and increases the chance of overflows in and around your home during heavy rain. Wet wipes are still the major culprit being flushed. Please dispose of these and other items on the “don’t flush” list with your regular rubbish.

Flushing only the three Ps helps protect our network and the environment.

What we’re doing to help

We’re trying to reduce wet weather overflows by replacing, relocating and upgrading Emergency Relief Structures (ERS) and other assets.

During heavy rain, stormwater can get into the wastewater system through cracked and damaged pipes, or incorrectly connected private property pipes.

ERSs reduce wet weather overflows by diverting excess stormwater out of the wastewater system. In turn, this prevents overflows (or surcharges) inside people’s homes or from our maintenance holes in public areas.

Our Kiama Customer Surcharge Package 14 is being planned and will:

• relocate an existing ERS near Kiama Surf Beach, decommission the old one and modify existing stormwater drains and vents in the area around Barney Street
• upgrade an existing ERS at BIG4 East Beach Holiday Park.

Jamberoo Village property owners should seek advice from Sydney Water and Council before developing their property

Jamberoo’s wastewater system was constructed as part of the NSW Government’s Priority Sewerage Program (PSP) more than 10 years ago. At that time, the system was designed to cater for the immediate village and allow 10% growth within the village from minor subdivisions or extensions such as granny flats.

Our network is now at capacity which means no additional connections to our wastewater network can be made.

It is important that current and future property owners within Jamberoo seek advice from Sydney Water and Council to determine what wastewater servicing options are available to them before starting any development or renovation of their property.

If you'd like to connect to our water or wastewater system, you'll need to engage a Water Servicing Coordinator (WSC) who can help with your application to adjust, extend or connect into our pipes.

WSCs who are experienced with Pressure Sewer Systems (LP) can answer questions about your wastewater connection options and can facilitate project management, design and construction of any required work on our system.