Securing our water supply - Quakers Hill to Prospect

Greater Sydney currently relies on rainfall for over 85 per cent of its water supply, with the other 15 per cent coming from desalination. With over 5 million customers, and an extra 2 million expected by 2050, challenges like climate change, drought and housing growth mean we need to think about water differently.

To deliver on the vision for a sustainable and resilient supply, Sydney Water is investigating the introduction of purified recycled water (PRW) as an option for safe, rainfall-independent water. Together with desalination, PRW could support our dams in providing the world class water we enjoy every day.

What is PRW and why is it being considered?

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 (such as rivers and dams). It could provide up to 25 per cent of Greater Sydney’s water needs by 2056. For more on PRW, visit the information page on our website.

PRW will reduce our reliance on rainfall as our primary water source. It will support population and housing growth, but has other benefits including healthier waterways, reduced likelihood of severe water restrictions and more options for responding to drought, floods and climate change.

The infographic below shows the steps in the process for the treatment and proposed introduction of PRW to the drinking water supply. Click on the image to view in more detail.

What is the project?

The proposed introduction of PRW involves a new advanced water treatment facility at Quakers Hill producing purified recycled water to be transferred to Prospect Reservoir. PRW added to the reservoir would mix with other water from Warragamba Dam and be treated again at the Prospect Water Filtration Plant.

The project involves:

• expanding wastewater treatment capacity to service forecast growth
• enhancing the quality of wastewater generated at Quakers Hill WRRF with advanced treatment processes
• a new Purified Recycled Water Plant, including ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis, advanced oxidation (ultra-violet light and chemical oxidant) and chlorination
• new pipeline(s) to transfer recycled water from Quakers Hill to Prospect Reservoir
• infrastructure at Prospect Reservoir to add recycled water into the water supply

Sydney Water has published a Scoping Report on the project, available on the NSW Planning Portal. This report describes the project in detail, demonstrates alignment with government plans and strategies and summarises expected impacts.

When is this happening?

It takes years to plan, procure and secure approval to deliver Major Projects. For this project, we’re currently in the planning stage which includes preparing the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The community and stakeholders will have the opportunity to make submissions to the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure through public exhibition of the EIS in late 2025.

Provided the necessary community support and government approvals are received, transfers of PRW to Prospect Reservoir could start mid-2032.

How can I get involved?

We encourage stakeholders and the community to find out more and provide feedback on this project so we can deliver it in a way that meets community expectations.

Ways to get involved are listed below:

• Visit our PRW Demonstration Facility at Quakers Hill
• Take a short virtual tour of our Demonstration Facility
• Invite our Wonders of Water van to your community day or join us at its next public event.
• Want a more detailed look at the process? Have a look at the chemical engineering students virtual tour developed with the University of New South Wales.
• Speak to us directly by emailing prw@sydneywater.com.au or calling 13 20 92
• Complete our project survey to have your say