Our wastewater treatment plants
Shoalhaven Water operate every day of the year treating wastewater from homes and businesses across the region. Our operations include an environmentally friendly recycling scheme which allows treated effluent to be reused on local farms and sports fields.
We own and operate 13 wastewater treatment plants with a combined treatment capacity that can serve a population of up to 300,000 people. Our facilities operate under stringent environmental and health protection standards.
Locations
Bendalong
First commissioned in 2007, the Bendalong treatment plant treats sewerage for up to 4,600 equivalent persons.
Berry
First commissioned in 1978, the Berry treatment plant was updated in 2006 and treats sewerage for up to 3,000 equivalent persons.
During dry weather most of the plant’s flow is utilised by a local dairy farm for pasture irrigation.
Bomaderry
First commissioned in 1972, the Bomaderry treatment plant was significantly upgraded in 2019.
The upgrade included advanced treatment (including filtration and two-stage disinfection) to meet current environmental and water recycling guidelines and an increase in treatment capacity.
The new plant has been linked to the Northern Shoalhaven Reclaimed Water Management Scheme (REMS) via distribution pipelines including a 1,400m pipeline under the Shoalhaven River.
Integration into the REMS will ensure that up to 90% of the output from the Bomaderry plant can be beneficially reused.
The new treatment plant treats effluent for up to 18,000 equivalent persons.
Callala
First commissioned in 1999, the Callala treatment plant was purpose built to supply our local farmers and sporting grounds with reclaimed water.
The plant provides tertiary treatment of effluent for up to 6,000 equivalent persons.
Culburra
First commissioned in 1982, the Culburra treatment plant was upgraded in 2002. The reclaimed water is piped into the REMS distribution system.
The plant provides tertiary treatment of effluent for up to 11,000 equivalent persons.
Kangaroo Valley
First commissioned in 2013, the Kangaroo Valley treatment plant has a large storage facility and irrigation system to service local dairy farming land with highly treated reclaimed water.
The system was designed to use a diversion system which directs excess reclaimed water to the Kangaroo Valley River during high rainfall periods.
The plant’s treatment capacity is for 1,400 equivalent persons.
Lake Conjola
First commissioned in 2007, the Lake Conjola treatment plant was designed to release reclaimed water to the environment via a dune exfiltration system at Conjola Beach.
The treatment capacity of the plant is for 2,700 equivalent persons.
Nowra
First commissioned in 1937, the Nowra treatment plant was the Shoalhaven's first treatment plant.
A major upgrade of the treatment plant was completed in late 2019. The upgrade includes advanced treatment (including filtration and two-stage disinfection) to meet current environmental and water recycling guidelines.
The plant's treatment capacity was increased to the equivalent of 37,500 persons.
The new plant has been linked via distribution pipelines to the REMS ensuring that up to 90% of the output can be beneficially reused.
Shoalhaven Heads
First commissioned in 1983, the Shoalhaven Heads treatment plant was upgraded in 2012 and supplies reclaimed water for use on a local turf farm.
There is also a 5ML lined storage pond holding reclaimed water for use on the local golf course.
The plant provides tertiary treatment of effluent for up to 8,000 persons.
St Georges Basin
First commissioned in 1991, the reclaimed water from the St Georges Basin treatment plant is pumped to the Vincentia treatment plant where it is given tertiary treatment before being directed into REMS.
There is a treatment capacity equivalent to 16,000 persons.
Sussex Inlet
First commissioned in 1990, the Sussex Inlet treatment plant reuses reclaimed water via an irrigation system at a local sporting ground.
The plant has a treatment capacity of 8,000 equivalent persons.
Ulladulla
First commissioned in 1975, the Ulladulla treatment plant was first upgraded in 2005, then again in 2008 to include a reticulated wastewater collection system for Lake Tabourie Village.
Reclaimed water is used on a local sporting field and is also released via an extend ocean outfall 300m off Racecourse Beach, Ulladulla.
The treatment capacity is for 32,000 equivalent persons.
Vincentia
First commissioned in 1973, the Vincentia treatment plant was upgraded in 2002.
The reclaimed water from this plant is piped via a 15km transfer main to the REMS distribution network for reuse on local farms and sporting fields.
The plant provides tertiary treatment of effluent for up to 14,000 equivalent persons.