Sydney Water's "game changing" facility almost complete

Sydney Water has announced that its $4.3 million Leura Water Pumping Station (WPS) servicing the Blue Mountains is weeks away from completion.

The facility will help mitigate the risk of customers losing supply during low rainfall events and drought conditions. When operating at full capacity, the station will transfer the equivalent of 16 Olympic-sized swimming pools of water to the Blue Mountains region every week, servicing up to 60,000 people.

Construction of the facility began in late 2021 with final preparations taking place.

Trevor Mondon, Sydney Water Principal Project Manager, said the plant is an important piece of infrastructure for the region and part of an overall Strategic Drought Planning action. Network upgrades will increase and improve reliability of supply within the Cascade Water Delivery System (WDS).

Ben Samcou, Sydney Water Senior Project Manager, said the facility will be game changing for the Blue Mountains community when it comes to accessing reliable water supply, especially during drought conditions or bushfires.

“When in operation, the Leura WPS allows potable water to be transferred from lower parts of the Cascade WDS up to Katoomba Reservoir, which is currently only fed from Cascades Water Treatment Plant,” Samcou said.

The Leura Water Pumping Station is due to be operational by July 2023.