City of Sydney's plans for decentralised water

The City of Sydney is re-thinking water in our city. Decentralised water is about improving water efficiency, sourcing water locally and improving the quality of our waterways. Learn more http://ow.ly/m1dhc

[instrumental music]
[Voiceover:] We're creating a smarter, more sustainable Sydney.

[water running]
Water is one of our most valuable resources ,

but we use drinking quality water for things that don't really need it

while storm water

[rain and thunder]
and water from our showers,

washing machines and basins goes down the drain

wasted.
[pipe draining]

That's why we're planning a decentralized water system.

This includes a local, recycled water system alongside our current water network.

This local water will be treated and then distributed using a separate purple pipe.

It will be used for non-drinking purposes only like watering gardens and parks and flushing loos.

By using treated and filtered recycled water,

we could help supply the city of Sydney's non-drinking water needs

leaving our drinking water for drinking.
[water dripping]

In 2010, Austin, Texas saved more than 7 billion litres of water [Yee-Haw]

through the use of reclaimed water

and Singapore has one of the largest water recycling plants in the world

where it's an actual tourist attraction.
[cameras clicking]

Recycling water will help us preserve
our precious drinking water

and by introducing innovations like rain
gardens in our parks and streets

[rainforest sounds]

we'll also reduce pollution
going into our water ways,

adding to the water saving actions
we're already doing.

Creating a sustainable Sydney 2030;
a green, global and connected city.

[pen scratching]