Quakers Hill Purified Recycled Water (PRW) Demonstration Plant

Across Greater Sydney we rely heavily on rainwater for our drinking water supply. Climate change and a growing population has and will continue to impact the amount of water we have in our dams in the future.

Sydney Water is exploring a range of options which don’t rely on rainfall, including, recycled water for non-drinking purposes, desalination, and purified recycled water to increase our drinking water supply.

Purified recycled water is wastewater that has been recycled from industry and homes (including showers, toilets, bathrooms and kitchens) to remove impurities and meets strict Australian Guidelines for use as a drinking water source. By diversifying our water sources, we expect to maintain a secure supply – whatever the weather.

The Quakers Hill Water Recycling Plant (WRP) collects and treats wastewater as well as supplies recycled water to the Quakers Hill catchment area.

We are now building a Purified Recycled Water Demonstration Plant and a visitor centre. The plant will treat filtered wastewater from the existing Quakers Hill WRP, using proven technology to produce high quality recycled water. The water will not be added to Sydney drinking supply rather used as a testing facility as well as an opportunity to educate the public on Purified Recycled Water (PRW).

All of the construction work will be done within the existing Sydney Water site, thereby minimising impact to the community. Construction is currently under way and is expected to be completed early 2023.