Australia`s first private water recycling scheme to an industrial network

Veolia Water (France), together with AquaNet Sydney Pty Ltd (part of the Jemena Ltd group) has signed a contract with the Sydney Water Corporation for the first private scheme for recycled water to a network of multiple industrial users in Australia.

The contract, which forms part of the New South Wales Government’s initiative, plans to reduce demand on Rosehill and Camellia’s drinking water supplies, in western Sydney. Representing an estimated cumulated turnover of 122 million Euros ($200 million AUD) for Veolia Water, the contract, for a period of 20 years, is a build, own and operate project for the Rosehill and Camellia Recycled Water Plant. It will produce an annual 4.3 billion litres of highly treated water for major industrial customers. The plant will be specifically designed to cope with any future higher demand and will be able to produce an extra 3 billion litres of recycled water per year for other industrial requirements.   The first stage of construction is due to commence in early 2009, when Veolia Water’ssubsidiary, Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies will be responsible for the construction of a water recycling installation which will have a capacity of 20,000m³ per day. Veolia Water will be investing 30 million Euros to finance the project, and will thereafter assure the plant’s operation for 20 years.   AquaNet will design, build, own and operate the network comprising two pump stations and three reservoirs connected by 20 km of pipeline. A portion of this pipeline network uses existing yet redundant gas pipe infrastructure.   Outlining the importance of this contract, Antoine Frérot, Chief Executive Officer of Veolia Water said, ‘these installations will supply recycled water of high quality to industrial consumers to the West of Sydney, thus relieving pressure on natural resources and economizing 4.3 billion litres of drinking water for population needs. This contract reinforces our presence and confirms our expertise in alternative resources in a region of the world which is experiencing extreme drought. Veolia Water is already present in the coastal towns of Gerrigong and Gerroa, near to Sydney, recycling used water for agriculture, and in Kwinana (Perth) where we recycle water for industrial uses. We also collaborate with the Queensland Government for the most important water recycling project in the southern hemisphere: the Western Corridor Programme.”