Lower Hunter region, New South Wales Australia – Engaging with the Lower Hunter community about purified recycled water for drinking

Hunter Water’s area of operation covers 5,366 square kilometres of the Lower Hunter region and is home to more than 600,000 people. The region supports a vast range of lifestyles, industries, and environments, from beaches and coastal communities to rural townships and large inland rivers. Most of the water for the Lower Hunter is supplied from two dams which both rely on source water from the Williams River catchment and together these systems account for approximately 80% of the water supply to the Lower Hunter. The remaining supply comes from groundwater sources, recycled water schemes for non-drinking purposes and the Paterson and Allyn rivers.

We know that the system’s ability to meet demand is at risk in times of drought and the risk is likely to increase with climate change. Increasing the diversity of the region’s water supply will improve drought security and increase resilience to future uncertainties and ensure a sustainable water future that contributes to regional health and prosperity.

Purified recycled water provides a reliable, climate resilient source of water and is often lower in cost and more energy efficient than other rainfall-independent options like desalination. It also decreases the amount of water taken from the environment by re-using wastewater and reduces nutrient discharges to waterways.

The Lower Hunter community has indicated an openness to considering purified recycled water for drinking as a future water supply option. We will continue to explore this option and engage with the community and stakeholders about whether it should be part of the Lower Hunter water supply system in the future. Part of these readiness activities will include delivery of an education program and mobile trailer to help explain and build confidence in the purified recycled water treatment process. Purified recycled water resources will be accompanied by information to help the community understand the water cycle and the benefits of purified recycled water to form a resilient water supply.

Related resources:

https://www.hunterwater.com.au/

Lower Hunter Water Security Plan: at a glance