A primary aim of Australian Water in the design of water infrastructure was to reduce the export of nutrients to the Hawkesbury-Nepean River system. The design solution adopted integrates the treatment of sewage effluent, the recycling of sewage effluent, and the trunk stormwater management system.
The key elements of the system include:
- treatment of sewage effluent to a bacteriological quality almost equivalent to that of potable water
- recycling of treated sewage effluent which is then supplied for all non-potable uses such as toilet flushing, garden watering, open space irrigation and industrial uses
- implementation of the trunk stormwater systems, which results in a reduction in the annual average export of nutrients (such as phosphorous and nitrogen) from the Rouse Hill catchment.
By linking these elements the Rouse Hill Infrastructure Project has been able to address and achieve significant environmental benefits in the areas of water quality, water conservation and soil conservation.
