Our systems and operations
Water services
On average, Shoalhaven Water supplies more than 40 to 45 million litres of water each day to more than 48,000 homes and businesses.
We obtain our untreated water from the Shoalhaven River, the catchment of which is managed by the Sydney Catchment Authority (SCA). About 90 per cent of our supply comes from the Shoalhaven River supplemented by our own storages at Yalwal and Porters Creek.
We treat the water at 3 water filtration plants to a standard that complies with the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. Organic matter, sediment and minerals such as iron and manganese are removed, the water is disinfected with chlorine and fluoride is added to prevent tooth decay. The largest plant at Bamarang treats more than 60% of our water.
We then distribute the water to our customers via our network of 43 water reservoirs, 25 pumping stations and nearly 1,506 kilometres of water mains.
Wastewater services
Shoalhaven Water collects and treats more than 18 million litres of wastewater from homes and businesses each day. Our sewerage network services around 43,600 homes and businesses in the City. Wastewater collected in the sewerage system flows to sewerage treatment plants where it is treated before being reused or discharged in accordance with strict licence conditions issued by the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC). All biosolids captured (100%) are used for agricultural purposes.
Around 50% of our wastewater is processed at our 3 biggest plants at Nowra, Ulladulla and Bomaderry. The effect of discharges on water quality and aquatic life is monitored every week by the Department of Environment and Climate Change to ensure performance standards are met.
Recycled water
Shoalhaven Water has a number a large water recycling schemes in place that help reduce discharges of treated wastewater to the environment and reduce demand on existing and future water supplies. Information on our Reclaimed water management scheme is contained within the Projects section on the home page of our website.
Use of recycled water has increased from 300 million litres a year in 2001 to approximately 1,600 million litres a year in 2006/2007. This will grow to 2,500 million litres a year by 2015.