Picton Wastewater Scheme

We’re looking to upgrade the Picton Water Recycling Plant to:

• improve the quality of the recycled water we produce
• extend recycled water use to nearby farms where feasible (subject to agreements with property owners)
• seek greater flexibility in our Licence to discharge excess recycled water to Stonequarry Creek, or alternatively discharge directly to the Nepean River.

Although we are looking to maximise recycled water use, this is highly dependent on weather and other factors - so discharge of excess recycled water to the waterways will still need to increase. We are looking at additional discharge of recycled water at the existing Stonequarry Creek location, or a proposed new discharge into the Nepean River, just below Maldon Weir.

Benefits of our work

• The Picton Water Recycling Upgrade will enable residential, commercial and employment growth and development in the Picton area.
• Our preferred pathway looks to maximise the opportunities to increase recycled water for local agribusiness.
• We can use the last 20 years of experience at our Picton Farm to expand a sustainable, resilient and productive wastewater servicing approach for the Picton area.
• Looking at other ways to effectively improve our recycled water treatment processes.
• Further monitoring and protection of local waterways, maximising recycled water use in the Picton area, keeping customer costs low and minimising impacts to the local environment.

Since late 2015, we have been working with the local community and interest groups to help determine a preferred solution for the Picton Water Recycling Plant. A Community Reference Group (CRG) was formed to ensure a broad range of views were considered - the CRG was made up of local residents, representatives from local businesses, environmental groups and Wollondilly Shire Council.

The CRG helped us understand community expectations about the long-term operation of the Picton Water Recycling Plant. The feedback we received from the CRG supported the preference for increasing recycled water use in the Picton area to help reduce impacts to local waterways and support local agriculture.

We are planning to display the Review of Environmental Factors report for the project in late 2020, and will be seeking feedback and submissions.

During the display period, we will hold community events where you will be able to meet the project team and find out more about our proposed work. All events will be managed to meet COVID-19 guidelines.