Close to one million litres of water will be saved every day at a new residential and commercial development in Sydney, thanks to a ground-breaking partnership between the private sector and Sydney Water.
NSW Minister or Natural Resources, Lands and Water Kevin Humphries said a new water recycling facility at the Central Park development on the site of the old Carlton Brewery at Broadway is the largest of its kind in the world and will set the standard for water reuse and efficiency in new developments across Sydney.
“Under this partnership, the operator, Central Park Water, will source drinking water from Sydney Water and supply it to more than 2,000 residential apartments and 75,000 square metres of commercial and retail space at Central Park,” Mr Humphries said.
“The water recycling facility on the site collects and treats the sewage and wastewater, then distributes recycled water for various uses including the flushing of toilets, cold water clothes washing and car washing, which make up 50 per cent of traditional potable water use.
“The water is also used to irrigate the impressive 170 metre vertical garden – the largest of its kind in the southern hemisphere. The unique garden counteracts the urban heat island effect and contributes to a more sustainable urban design.”
Mr Humphries said the scheme is an excellent example of how the private and public sector can work together to deliver integrated water solutions to the market that benefit both customers and the urban environment.
“The current changes to the Water Industry Competition Act before Parliament are aimed at ensuring we have a level playing field that enables more efficient, reliable and sustainable projects like this one that have real social, financial and environmental benefits,” Mr Humphries said.
Terry Leckie, Managing Director of Flow Systems, the operator of Central Park Water said his company was under contract to supply sustainable water solutions for 25,000 dwellings and 800,000m2 commercial premises across eight communities in Sydney and the Hunter Valley.
Sydney Water General Manager of Customer Services Paul Freeman said: “The Central Park project is an excellent example of Sydney Water working cooperatively with the private sector to drive innovation and efficiency to benefit NSW water users.
“In this case the operator is licenced under the Water Industry Competition Act and is both our customer and a fellow water utility in its own right, supplying its own customers – the residents of Central Park,” Mr Freeman said.
