Update: Hunter Water returns to normal operations following recent wet weather event

Hunter Water is pleased to see operations return to normal after heavy rainfall and strong winds impacted the region over the past few days. The safety of our people and community is our highest priority and we continue to work closely with our customers who have been impacted.

As of now, the Chichester Dam water level is about 20 centimetres above the spillway, returning to a normal operating level. Our dam safety engineers have assessed the structure, and cleanup activities are underway, with the site to reopen to the public tomorrow.

All Hunter Water customers are receiving water supply and regular wastewater services have returned as power is restored to pump stations.

Hunter Water Executive Manager Customer Delivery, Glen Robinson, is pleased to see usual operating conditions return, commending the efforts of Hunter Water staff.

“For the past five days, various teams across Hunter Water have been responding to the severe weather affecting our region both day and night. We appreciate the continued efforts of all our crews and contractors who have been involved in helping to respond to this incident, and for working to keep the community safe.

“As the storms caused widespread power outages across our area of operations, many of our water treatment plants and pump stations shut down. While the pumps were offline, water stored in our network of reservoirs continued to supply drinking water to the vast majority of our customers.

“The water treatment plants and water pump stations are now operational and our crews continue to monitor the drinking water network closely and respond to ensure it is safe and secure,” Mr Robinson said.

The power outages, combined with heavy rain, also resulted in significant impacts to our wastewater pump stations and wastewater treatment works, causing wastewater overflows in many catchments.

Results from multiple rounds of water quality sampling and testing at beaches where Hunter Water provides this service will be confirmed by our independent laboratory in coming days. These results will be provided to local councils to inform their decisions regarding beach closures.

As a precaution, after such heavy rain of the past few days, it is advised people avoid swimming in local waterways and beaches for at least two days after all power is restored and the wastewater network returns to normal operating conditions. For information on beaches visit: https://beachwatch.nsw.gov.au/home

To stay across the latest warnings and information for flooding impacts, visit www.ses.nsw.gov.au or download the Hazards Near Me app. For help from the NSW SES, phone 132 500.

For information on any current water service disruptions visit: www.hunterwater.com.au/outages