Reclaimed Water Management Scheme expanded to include Nowra and Bomaderry Wastewater Treatment Schemes

As the largest project undertaken by the Shoalhaven City Council, REMS is designed to beneficially reuse treated wastewater on local dairy farms, sporting fields and golf courses, rather than disposing it to the environment.

The program of works was funded by Council and the State Government and completed in a two-stage approach.

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Commencing in 2002, the first stage of REMS saw approximately 24 billion litres of reclaimed water be reused.

"We've effectively doubled the reclaimed water available for beneficial reuse, from having six megalitres per day, to now having 13 megalitres per day available for reuse," said Shoalhaven Water Executive Manager Robert Horner.

"That equates to approximately five Olympic swimming pools of reclaimed water everyday."

Mr Horner said the total value of the project was approximately $150 million, and took around seven years from commencement of design to the operation of the new water treatment plants.

"It makes me especially proud to mention this, as it is a rarity for local government to manage such large projects," said Mr Horner.

Shoalhaven City Council Mayor Amanda Findley was delighted to see the successful completion of works at the two facilities.

"It was the first official duty that I had as mayor of the Shoalhaven to turn the first sod on this fantastic project. And here we are, celebrating the close out of the contract and the project," Cr Findley said.

"The completion of the major upgrades to the Nowra and Bomaderry Wastewater Treatment Plants in 2020 showcases Shoalhaven City Council's contributions to sustainable development and the importance of the natural environment to the region.

"The Scheme is one of the largest and most complex water recycling schemes undertaken by a regional water utility, and is an innovative example of how the reuse of reclaimed water can deliver real benefits to the community.

"These benefits include supporting sustainable industry, delivering drought proofing measures and helping to lessen the environmental impacts that arise in a growing region."

Shoalhaven City Council's Water Utility, Shoalhaven Water, commissioned major works and construction of a new network of distribution pipelines to enable the two wastewater treatment plants to connect to the existing Scheme.

The first stage of REMS included collection and transport of reclaimed water from upgraded wastewater treatment plants at St Georges Basin, Huskisson, Vincentia, Culburra and Callala.

It also included construction of a 600 million litre reclaimed water storage facility and reticulation pipelines to deliver the reclaimed water to the end users.

Among the attendees were Shoalhaven City Council Mayor Amanda Findley, Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips MP along with Council representatives CEO, Stephen Dunshea and Shoalhaven Water staff.

For more information about REMS, visit: Shoalhaven Water's website.