Preliminary plans to expand the Sydney Desalination Plant (SDP) are underway to ensure Sydney’s water supply is maintained amid rapidly falling water levels.
Dam levels are dropping at record pace in NSW’s worst drought on record with water storages currently at 50.3 per cent capacity, down from 90 per cent two years ago.
Since the plant commenced operation, dam depletion rates improved by around 0.2 per cent per week.
The plant is currently producing an average of 250 million litres a day, or approximately 15 per cent of Sydney’s supply. At the end of July 2019, the SDP reached full production.
NSW Minister for Water, Property and Housing, Melinda Pavey, said by undertaking the planning work, should the drought worsen, and water levels continue to drop, the State Government will be ready to act immediately to increase water supply.
