The Chief Executive Officer, Keith Davies, said Sydney Desalination Plant was working closely with Sydney Water to ensure drinkable water was produced and pumped into the Sydney water system as soon as possible.
“At this stage, it is estimated that drinkable water will be produced by the Sydney Desalination Plant and delivered to Sydney’s drinking water supply within the next three to four months,” Mr Davies said.
“In line with our operating licence, we expect it will take up to eight months from restart for the plant to reach its maximum capacity of producing 250 million litres per day of water – or about 15% of Sydney’s drinking water requirements.
“The Sydney Desalination Plant plays an important part in assisting the NSW Government in implementing its wider measures aimed at alleviating the metropolitan impacts of the current drought.”
Mr Davies said that at full capacity, water from the plant would be delivered to Sydney Water’s system for the benefit of all customers.
The Australian Water Association has created a fact sheet about desalination, which presents information about desalination in Australia and its costs and benefits, among other facts. The sheet can be downloaded here.
More information about the plant are available on the website of the Sidney Desalination Plant.