Technology
WRAMS is comprised of four main technical elements, Dual Water Reticulation Network, Water Reclamation Plant, Water Treatment Plant and Water Storage
Dual Water Reticulation Network
Installation of a dual water reticulation network throughout the site, made up of separate potable/drinking and reclaimed water mains, to serve all new venues and the residential suburb of Newington.
Water Reclamation Plant
Sewage received from Newington, the Novotel/Ibis and other Sydney Olympic Park venues is treated in the water reclamation plant in large concrete tanks covered with odour prevention devices. Advanced biological treatment processes remove pollutants and nutrients. This high quality liquid is disinfected by ultra violet light then pumped to the water treatment plant for final processing. This process is referred to as sewer mining.
Water Treatment Plant
Water from either the water reclamation plant or the Brickpit reservoir goes through a process known as continuous micro filtration. This type of filtration ensures water parasites and bacteria are filtered out. Water can also be filtered to remove salts. Chlorine is used to disinfect the recycled water.
Water Storage
Storage is central to WRAMS as it allows for time variations between rainfall and recycled water demand.
The main stormwater storage reservoir for WRAMS is contained within part of a former quarry (the Brickpit). This storage reservoir has a capacity of 300 megalitres. The Brickpit also contains significant areas of viable habitat for the endangered Green and Golden Bell Frog.
The secondary collection point for stormwater and surface runoff is via a series of freshwater wetlands, constructed as part of the remediation work of the Haslams Creek area. The freshwater wetlands collect the stormwater from Olympic Plaza, adjacent venues and areas, including Newington, in specially designed water storage ponds (for example, the Northern Water Feature on Olympic Boulevard). The ponds are designed to catch the "first flush" of stormwater and allow the sediment to settle. Native freshwater plants absorb nutrients and lower the levels of suspended particles in stormwater.
When integrated with WRAMS and other water pollution control measures, these ponds reduce sediment and nutrient loads by up to 90%. This water is then reused throughout the parklands for irrigation. Stormwater collection and dispersion is controlled through drainage swales and solar powered pumps.
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.