Wastewater and stormwater

Wastewater that is cleaned, treated and purified and stormwater, when harvested and treated, can be recycled for many uses including watering parks and gardens, irrigating farms or used in industrial processes and manufacturing. Recycled water is not used in NSW for drinking.

Wastewater

Wastewater is the water we have used in our homes, schools, businesses and industries. It goes down drains from sinks, baths, showers, laundries and toilets and other drains inside buildings.

Wastewater treatment
Wastewater management and sewage
Wastewater reuse around the home
Sydney Water wastewater network
How you can help stop wastewater blockages

Stormwater

Stormwater refers to the water resulting from rain draining into the stormwater system from roofs, roads, footpaths and other ground surfaces. Stormwater can include sewage from sewer overflows.

Report water pollution
How to reduce stormwater pollution
Using stormwater in your home and garden
Stormwater impacts on water quality
Sydney Water stormwater network
Sydney stormwater catchment map
Stormwater harvesting

Water recycling

Water recycling refers to the treatment and reuse of sewage, greywater and/or stormwater, for non-potable (non-drinking) purposes.

NSW Health supports the reuse of treated wastewater provided the health risks are adequately managed.

Recycled water and health risk prevention
Australian guidelines for water recycling
Recycled water in the Hunter
Sydney's recycled water network
Using recycled water in Sydney