New wastewater facility opens in Western Sydney

The NSW Government has opened a new wastewater facility in Western Sydney, which it says will enable more than 140,000 new homes and businesses to be connected to critical wastewater services.

The $1.2 billion Badu Yarragul Water Resource Recovery Facility at Kemps Creek aims to help support the next chapter of growth across Western Sydney, providing essential wastewater services to support new homes, jobs and economic growth across the Aerotropolis, Bradfield City and the surrounding region.

On opening, the new facility can treat up to 35 megalitres of wastewater each day, producing biosolids that can be reused in agriculture and forestry and enabling recycled-water opportunities. The government says it is one of the most advanced wastewater recycling facilities in the Southern Hemisphere, using a membrane bioreactor and reverse osmosis to produce exceptionally high-quality treated water.

Future upgrades are already planned that will double the facility’s capacity to 70 megalitres per day, supporting a footprint of more than 280,000 new connections.

Badu Yarragul, meaning “freshwater cleaning”, reflects both the purpose of the facility and its location on Wet Country.

Sustainability has been embedded throughout design and construction, including:

• a 4 MW solar farm capable of generating half of the facility’s energy needs
• internal roads incorporating a combination of recycled coffee cups and low-carbon binder
• pipe bedding made from recycled glass.
   

The new facility forms a cornerstone of Sydney Water’s long-term vision to support a circular economy in Western Sydney while supporting new homes, jobs and economic development.

“This is one of the most advanced water facilities in Australia and a significant milestone for NSW, supporting a cooler, greener city that is future-proofed for tomorrow,” said Minister for Water Rose Jackson. “This opening is exciting for Western Sydney, but it’s not the end of our commitment to building better communities. We’re supporting Sydney Water to upgrade and expand our 138-year-old network with significant upgrades now underway across Sydney including treatment plants at Rouse Hill, Riverstone, Quakers Hill, Liverpool and Glenfield.”

“Badu Yarragul is a critical piece of infrastructure that will support Western Sydney’s growth for decades to come,” said Sydney Water Managing Director Darren Cleary. “Every aspect of this facility has been designed with the future in mind to support hundreds of thousands of people as our city grows.

“Receiving global recognition for its sustainability performance is a testament to the collaboration, innovation and expertise of Sydney Water and our delivery partner to deliver this landmark project.”

Image: Badu Yarragul Water Resource Recovery Facility. Credit: John Holland Group Pty Ltd