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How SDP is navigating the complex challenges of sustainability at plant?
Q: How does SDP manage flora and fauna on its site?
A: Environmental management has always been a focus for SDP. The Plant’s site at Kurnell, covers 45 hectares, including a 15-hectare environmental conservation zone that is home to several species of native flora and fauna.
In order to manage, protect and enhance the conservation value of this Conservation Area, a Conservation Area Management Plan was prepared as part of a comprehensive Environmental Management System.
The Conservation Area Management Plan describes how SDP manages the designated Conservation Area during its operation and maintenance phase to protect and enhance the conservation value. This plan provides overall management of risks relating to the conservation significance and environmental sensitivities of the Conservation Area.
In the Conservation Area where SDP operates, four endangered ecological communities of plants and the presence of suitable habitat for a number of threatened species of animals were identified.
The combination of endangered native vegetation and ecosystems means this area has conservation significance that is much greater than its size.
Q: How does SDP monitor and mitigate impacts on local flora and fauna?
A: As part of our management of the Conservation Area, SDP prepares an Annual Vegetation Report with the bush regenerators at the beginning of each year to report on the progress made during the previous twelve months.
The report is based on the analysis of 15 defined quadrats in the Conservation Area and includes descriptions of the area, species list, percentage of weed cover and a photograph of the quadrat with reference points included for comparison purposes.
Every five years a Vegetation Management Plan is prepared which provides guidance of areas to target and manage to the bush regenerators for that period. The Conservation Area Management Plan incorporates details from the Vegetation Management Plan, and it also includes monitoring requirements for the flora and fauna in the Conservation Area.
Since the commencement of operation of the plant in 2010, bush regenerators have been contracted to remove weeds to restore the area to a more natural state.
Q: What SDP initiatives support local wildlife, such as nesting sites or habitat restoration?
A: SDP continuously contributes to the ecological transformation of the Kurnell peninsula through a number of environmental initiatives, including:
– Ongoing maintenance, management and rehabilitation of the site’s 15-hectare Conservation Area which is also a roosting habitat for a colony of Grey Headed Flying Foxes;
– Reintroduction program of Green and Golden Bell Frog’s through an onsite tadpole nursery and monitoring program;
– A plantation of over 800 eucalypt trees that feed’s orphaned and rescued koala’s at the local Symbio Wildlife Park, and;
– An onsite seagrass nursery that support’s the rehabilitation of damaged seagrass areas and their replanting in Botany Bay.
Q: What coastal and marine initiatives is SDP implementing and how effective are they?
A: Through the Marine Water Quality and Ecosystem Environmental Management Plan, SDP continuously carries out marine and estuarine monitoring and management.
SDP also works with the local community to protect the local environment and ensure the marine biodiversity and habitat are preserved.
The Gamay Rangers who are part of the La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council collect storm damaged seagrass (Posidonia australis) washed up on Kurnell’s Silver Beach after storms and the effects of human activity, then delivery them to the plant. At the plant tanks have been installed on to allow temporary storage and rehabilitation of the seagrass.
The tanks are continuously supplied with fresh seawater from the plant inlet system which flows through the tanks providing the seagrass with continuously flowing seawater in a sheltered but sunny location.
The goal is to allow the storm damaged seagrass to be saved, regenerated and restored back into the Silver Beach ecosystem to preserve the marine environment.
Close to 10,000seagrass shoots have been collected since the beginning of the project in May 2023. Approximately 4,900 shoots have been transplanted back to the ecosystem which equates to approximately 111square metres² of area of Botany Bay that has been restored.
Additionally, some seagrass shoots are used for further scientific research on the growth of the seagrass.
Q: What strategies are in place to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
A: SDP is committed to minimising our environmental footprint while providing a secure supply of high-quality drinking water to Greater Sydney. All electricity consumed by the Plant is 100% matched by renewable energy certificates (large-scale generation certificates and small-scale technology certificates).
The energy consumed by the Plant is powered by renewable energy produced at the Capital Wind Farm located near the NSW and ACT border.
SDP has a net zero policy target of 2050 and has developed a Decarbonisation Strategy to achieve this Our focus is now building on this success by reducing any residual emissions and as we strive towards becoming a leading, sustainable producer of high quality drinking water.
Q: Are there plans to implement new technologies for greater environmental efficiency?
A: The Sydney Desalination Plant was built with a strong focus on the environment. Today, minimising environmental impacts remains a high priority and focus for our business.
SDP continuously aims to reduce any environmental impacts, to an extent where technology permits. For example, through the optimisation of chemical dosing, minimisation of waste and the more efficient use of electricity. All these efficiencies are being actively investigated by SDP.
Energy efficiency of the plant is a complex piece that is influenced by various factors, such as seawater temperature, water production volume, and age of reverse osmosis membranes. To minimise energy consumption, SDP employs treatment technologies, such as energy recovery devices on its reverse osmosis processes and continuously seeks further efficiencies that aim to further reduce energy consumption.
SDP has commissioned energy improvement projects in recent years, to automate parts of the reverse osmosis membrane system, which has been proven to improve energy efficiency by a material amount. This automation has allowed quicker response to changing conditions, and we have seen a step change improvement in energy efficiency since this system has been installed.
Non-technological solutions would include regulatory and capital processes that recognise and reward products and processes that can potentially bring greater environmental efficiencies.
Overall, Sydney Desalination Plant has gone above and beyond to minimise the impact of the Plant on the environment. With a clear strategy to achieve our goals, we also expect to grow from strength the strength in the future.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the Sydney Desalination Plant operating?While the Plant was originally designed to operate only in times of drought, it has remained operational since 2019 to help address several storage dam water quality issues arising from bushfires, flooding and significant maintenance tasks in Sydney Water’s supply network.
The Sydney Desalination Plant’s WICA Network Operator’s Licence enables the Plant to remain operational, recognising that the Plant has always been, and will continue to be, an essential component of Sydney’s water management and an integral part of our city’s water-resilient future. - How much water does the Plant produce?The Plant can provide up to 15 per cent of Sydney’s average drinking water needs without any reliance on rainfall.
It treats, filters and re-mineralises seawater to produce up to 91.25 gigalitres per annum of high-quality drinking water.
Under our WICA Network Operator’s Licence, the Plant will operate on a “flexible full-time basis”, producing between about 20 gigalitres to 91.25 gigalitres every year. - What does desalinated water taste like?Sydney Desalination Plant water is treated to taste the same as Sydney’s other drinking water.
Like dam water, water from the desalination plant is treated to meet Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, which makes it among the best in the world. - Who owns the Plant?Sydney Desalination Plant is jointly owned by the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board and the Utilities Trust of Australia, which is managed by Morrison. Find out more on our About Us page.
- Why is desalination important?The Sydney Desalination Plant is Sydney’s only major sources of non-rainfall dependent drinking water. It is one effective way of securing Sydney’s water supply against the effects of climate change and natural disasters and the increase in demand due to population growth, warmer weather and urban greening projects.
While the Plant was originally designed to respond to Australia’s severe millennium drought, recent experiences have demonstrated that drought is only one type of event that requires support from the Plant to ensure clean and safe drinking water for Greater Sydney.
The Plant has been a reliable drinking water supply during floods and bushfires, which caused water quality challenges from time to time in Sydney’s storage dams. - Where does the water go?The Plant can supply water to homes and businesses south of Sydney Harbour and as far west as Bankstown, as part of all their water supply.
Sydney Water uses a variety of water sources to supply customer needs. Where your water comes from depends on demand and where in Sydney you live.
If you live in the blue-shaded area on this map, you may receive water from the dams, the Sydney Desalination Plant or a combination of both. The Plant's water proportion will change throughout the day due to variations in supply and demand.
Everyone will benefit from desalination because it allows more water to be left in the dams, which means a more secure water supply for Sydney. - How much energy does the Plant use?The Sydney Desalination Plant requires roughly 38 megawatts at full production and is 100 per cent powered by renewable energy.
The average energy needed to provide drinking water to one household is about the same as the energy used to run a household fridge. - What’s the impact on the environment?Sydney Desalination Plant places a high priority on minimising any environmental impacts – both on land and in the water.
To support this, the Plant has put in place a world first stringent six-year marine environment monitoring program. The marine environment was monitored for three years before construction and three years after the Plant became operational. It demonstrated that the Plant has minimal effect on the marine environment.
On land, a third of the Plant site at Kurnell has been maintained as a conservation area. This area is protected, and native species of flora and fauna are regularly monitored. This includes a program to survey the numbers of grey-headed flying foxes and green and golden bell frogs in the area.
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge the Gweagal clan of the Dharawal people as the traditional owners of the land on which the Sydney Desalination Plant sits and we pay our respects to elders past and present.