The Sydney Desal Blog

How SDP is navigating the complex challenges of sustainability at plant?

The Sydney Desalination Plant (SDP) is undertaking multiple continuous environmental programs that align with its sustainability goals to safely deliver high quality drinking water to Greater Sydney whilst minimising impact on the environment.

ESG and Compliance Officer, Louise Tsang, navigates the complex challenges of sustainability at SDP.

3 July 2025

How does SDP fit in with Sydney’s wider water supply network?

Sydney Desalination Plant is the third largest desalination plant in Australia. The water produced at SDP is transferred via an 18km pipeline that runs under Botany Bay and is then fed into the Sydney Water network in Erskineville. From here, the water is blended in with the water treated at the Sydney Water filtration plants before heading out to customers.

So, how does SDP fit in with Sydney’s wider water supply network?

SDP’s Operations and Maintenance Manager, Jeremy Myers, shares fresh perspectives.

8 May 2025

Where does our water come from and how do we minimise impact on the ocean?

Sydney Desalination Plant is committed to safeguarding Sydney’s drinking water as well as our environment, from design through to construction and operation. So, where does our water come from and how do we minimise impact on the ocean?

SDP’s Capital Works Manager, Rumbidzai Shamhu, delves into some insights.

6 March 2025

Keeping Sydney’s drinking water flowing during times of drought, fire and floods

Droughts, floods and bushfires can all have an impact on Sydney's water supply network. During these challenging times, the Sydney Desalination Plant plays a key role in ensuring drinking water supplies keep flowing to homes and businesses.

Here's how we do it.

3 December 2024

5 Quick Questions – How do you turn seawater into drinking water?

Sydney Desalination Plant (SDP) supplies up to 15 per cent of our city’s drinking water. But how does it turn salty seawater into high-quality drinking water for millions of people every day?
SDP’s Operations and Maintenance Manager, Jeremy Myers, has all the answers.

14 November 2024

Small but powerful: mini desalination plants

Across the world, mini desalination plants are transforming how communities access clean drinking water, even in the most remote locations. The future looks promising as these powerful devices continue to expand their reach and provide fresh drinking water to those who need it most.

25 September 2024

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.