Our sewer network
All the water that is used at home, at work and in the community flows through a complex network managed by Hunter Water. There are things you can do to help us keep this network operating efficiently.
Wastewater systems
Here you'll learn about our wastewater treatment process which includes the , from the treatment plants and wastewater quality to beach water and the environmental safeguards we have in place.
Wastewater treatment works
We manage a network of wastewater pipes and wastewater treatment works (WWTW) throughout the Lower Hunter. Find out where each facility is located and wastewater is treated.
Recycling and Reuse
The used water (sewage) from homes, factories, shops, and other places is often called wastewater, but it's no longer considered a waste product. It's a valuable resource we can recycle and use in new ways. Recycled water is used in homes and gardens, in industry, and on sporting fields. Biosolids, also from our wastewater treatment plants, is beneficially re-used in mine site rehabilitation and farming.
Wastewater quality
We carefully monitor and treat our wastewater, ensuring that it complies with Environment Protection conditions. See how each wastewater treatment works (WWTW) is performing in our monthly reports.
Additional information
Wastewater and COVID-19
There is no evidence that COVID-19 has been transmitted to people via wastewater. COVID-19 is susceptible to our current treatment processes. Sewage also contains detergents and other substances that inactivate (kill) the virus before it reaches the treatment plant.
As part of our day-to-day operations, we have stringent hygiene and safety measures in place across our treatment plants. Our workers continue to employ best practices for protecting water quality and their occupational health, including the use of personal protective equipment.
The NSW Health COVID-19 Sewage Surveillance Research Program tests untreated sewage for fragments of the COVID-19 virus to provide data to support NSW Health's response to the pandemic.
Pollution monitoring results
We collect pollution monitoring data as required under the Environment Protection Licences (EPLs) issued by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA).