Barangaroo set to export water

With a projected production of more than 200 million litres annually, the recycled water plant at Barangaroo will be capable of producing more water than it consumes, thereby making the plant an exporter of recycled water.

NSW Minister for Energy and Utilities Don Harwin held out Barangaroo as an example to the rest of the world of what partnerships between the government and the private sector can achieve — in this case building critical infrastructure which reinforces Sydney’s reputation as one of the world’s leading international cities.

“Lendlease has set a new precedent for water conservation in an urban area creating a positive and lasting legacy for both Barangaroo and the wider CBD,” Harwin said.

“This is a critical step to fulfil our ambition to make Barangaroo one of the world’s most sustainable urban regeneration precincts.

“The Barangaroo recycled water plant is a brilliant demonstration of the government and the private sector working together — there are now 20 private recycling schemes licensed under the Water Industry Competition Act statewide and I look forward to seeing many more,” Harwin said.

Lendlease Property Australia Chief Executive Kylie Rampa said integrating the plant with Barangaroo’s low-carbon, waste management and renewable energy strategies was the culmination of seven years’ work.

“Today’s opening of the Barangaroo South Recycled Water Plant represents a final piece in the puzzle towards us becoming Australia’s first water positive precinct,” Rampa said.

“Barangaroo’s other infrastructure network also includes the district cooling plant, which uses Sydney Harbour water to cool all precinct buildings, 188,500 litres of water tanks across the precinct, 6000 m² of rooftop solar panels and a private power network.

“Once fully operational, the plant will be able to produce up to 200 million litres annually, equal to 70 Olympic-sized swimming pools and in addition to the 100 million litres of water annually saved by the centralised cooling plant.

“Opening the water treatment plant also means the most complex and sophisticated part of our efforts to save and re-use water is now in place and puts us in position to export recycled water for use in the Barangaroo neighbourhood.

“Barangaroo will be more than just a great place for people to live, work and relax — it will play an increasing role in helping our neighbours improve their sustainability credentials as well.”

Once fully operational, the Barangaroo plant will have the capacity to sewer mine, a process that produces additional recycled water from sewage for use in irrigation and other non-drinking uses.

“Lendlease’s ability to work long term on innovations such as our water initiative is part of our approach to solving long-term urban problems like water scarcity, one of Australia’s most pressing environmental concerns,” Rampa said.

“Our approach helps make our cities the best places.”