Water

Managing water efficiently is fundamental to achieving ecologically sustainable development while at the same time ensuring that attractive landscapes and viable habitats are a feature of Sydney Olympic Park.

Sydney Olympic Park is committed to achieving the sustainable integration of all elements of the local water cycle and water conservation and an integrated managment system has been an integral part of the planning, development and operation of Sydney Olympic Park.

A holistic approach is taken in the management of drinking water, sewage, recycled water, rain and stormwater, irrigation systems, building and landscape design and aquatic habitat, by developing and providing a broad array of water saving devices, dual water supply infrastructure, water harvesting, drought tolerant plantings and natural and constructed water features.

Key benifits include:

• all new developments and activities (including venues, events, landscaping and asset management) at Sydney Olympic Park minimise the demand of drinking water from Sydney's mains supply and use best practice sustainable design principles, technology and management practices to conserve water
• all future developments within Sydney Olympic Park connect to the Water Reclamation and Management Scheme (WRAMS). WRAMS is maintained and extended to the greatest extent practicable
• significantly reduced discharge of polluted waters to environment
• maximised opportunities for wastewater re-use
• ensures that water resources are, and will continue to be, sustainably managed within Sydney Olympic Park.

An excellent example of how Sydney Olympic Park showcases use of innovative environmental technology for water conservation and management is the Water Reclamation and Management Scheme (WRAMS).

Other water conservation and landscaping practices at Sydney Olympic Park include the use of engineered soils, permeable pavers and porous gravel (especially in pedestrian areas), selection of drought tolerant native species for planting, and harvesting of stormwater run-off from roads, pavements and rooftops for local irrigation. These measures help to reduce stormwater run-off and the need for intensive irrigation.

We will continue to promote the sustainable benefits of urban water recycling systems such as WRAMS and other water conservation initiatives at Sydney Olympic Park. A significant return on the community's investment in the water management system at Sydney Olympic Park is provided through communication and education programs, practical and sustainable water conservation and the extensive recycling of treated stormwater and sewage effluent.

Sydney Olympic Park implements strategies that address the significant seasonal imbalance between natural and harvested water supply and balance this against the demand for ecological, horticultural and venue supplies, while maintaining ecological, water quality, and public contact standards.

Download the Recycle Water at Home (120K PDF) brochure.
Download the Urban Water Reuse and Integrated Water Management (200K PDF) document for an overview of WRAMS.