Hunter Water

08/09/2026

Before ➡️ After. These photos show the difference after our major wastewater upgrade at Dune Rise Retirement Village. Following a sewer main collapse, we've delivered a long-term solution with new sewer infrastructure built in challenging conditions. Thanks to residents for their patience while we completed these essential works.

04/09/2026

🌞 Warm days are back!

With a beautiful spring weekend ahead, now's the perfect time to get outdoors and enjoy the sunshine. It's also a good time to remember that every day is a good day to save water.

Small changes like watering before 10am and after 4pm and taking 4-minute showers can help make a big difference for our region.

For more ways to save water this spring, visit: https://www.hunterwater.com.au/news/spring-into-smarter-water-habits-as-hunter-water-urges-community-to-save-water

26/08/2026

We loved visiting Jewells Primary School last week to help bring water education to life!

Year 5 and 6 students got hands-on learning about the urban water cycle, desalination, and the important work we're doing to help secure our region's water future. From exploring reverse osmosis membranes to tackling super-soaker challenges, there was plenty of curiosity, energy and fun along the way. Thanks to the students and staff for having us! 👏

24/08/2026

Enter the 2026 National Water Week Primary Schools Poster Competition. This year's school theme is "Water Connects Everything", and we’re inviting primary school students to get creative and design an original A3 poster inspired by water in our local area.

🏆 Local winners will progress to national judging
🎨 Create an original A3 poster
📅 Entries close 16 September 2026

Think creatively, tell a water story and show us why water matters in our region.

👉 Visit our website for competition details and how to enter:

Here’s your chance to explore how water shapes our world through art. Enter the 2026 National Water Week Poster Competition and get creative with this year’s theme: Water connects everything .

21/08/2026

After a few months as a familiar sight off Nine Mile Beach, the jack-up barge has officially wrapped up its role in the Belmont Desalination Plant project and is sailing off to its next adventure. 👋

The barge played a key role in constructing the plant's offshore infrastructure, supporting the installation of the seawater intake and outfall pipelines and helping complete major marine works safely and efficiently.

Read more: https://www.hunterwater.com.au/news/jack-up-barge-departs-belmont-as-desalination-marine-works-conclude

20/08/2026

Happy Fri-yay! Looking for weekend plans? Come and say hi at the Hunter Science Festival!

Visit Newcastle Museum on Sunday 23 August, 10am-2pm, for a free family friendly event, jampacked with hands on science fun.

We’ll be there with the H2O Hub, our new interactive mobile education trailer. It explores how the Urban Water Cycle supports everyday life, from our drinking water sources to treatment, recycling, and the systems that keep water flowing safely to and from our homes.

Plus, the crowd favourite HMRI Poo Palace will be there (bookable on the day). 💩

19/08/2026

Some of the hardest workers in the wastewater treatment process are small but mighty. Meet the microbes! 🦠

They’re part of the biological treatment that happens to our wastewater. Once their job is done, they settle out as a sludge, which is separated from the treated water (effluent).

The sludge is further treated creating biosolids, a nutrient rich product that’s used for mine site rehabilitation and fertiliser.

18/08/2026

After you flush the toilet, do you know where your wee and poo go? 🤔💩

Everything that goes down your wastewater (also known as sewerage) pipes in your kitchen, laundry and bathroom goes to one of our 19 wastewater treatment plants.

When it arrives at the plant, wastewater is treated so that it can be used again (recycled for non-drinking purposes) or safely released to the environment.

That’s why it’s important to only flush the 3Ps – anything else can block the pipes along the way.

18/08/2026

We spent the day at Jewells Retirement Village, talking with residents about some of the projects happening in their local area.
It was great to receive such positive feedback about the Belmont Northern Watermain project, which took place right on residents' doorstep. We also shared an update on the progress of the Belmont Desalination Plant and the role it will play in supporting long-term water security for our region.
Residents were interested to learn more about the project, recognised the benefits desalination can provide during times of drought and increasing demand, and were excited to see the project continue to progress. These conversations are invaluable in helping us keep the community informed, answer questions, and understand what's important to those who will benefit from this critical piece of infrastructure. Learn more about desalination: hunterwater.com.au/desal

17/08/2026

All the drinking water we supply (almost 200 million litres each day) goes through a rigorous treatment process to align with the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.

How raw water is treated will depend on where it’s sourced from. For example, water from sandbeds has different qualities to water from dams, so needs to be treated differently. 🧪