Sydney
11.6 Delivery of desalinated water to urban water system
Supporting information
a. Urban water supply system overview
The urban water supply system is one of three sub-components of Sydney's urban water system. The three sub-components are the:
- Urban water supply system
- Wastewater system
- Recycled water system.
There are two main sources of water for Sydney's urban water supply system:
Urban water consumption (19.4) was 489,557 ML during the 2011–12 year, representing 48% of all urban water supply system outflows. The remaining urban water was reported as being lost through leakage to landscape (19.2) and operational losses (19.20).
The following figure shows all the inflows and outflows associated with the urban water supply system.
For more detail on a particular flow associated with the urban water supply system, refer to the line item notes.
The Sydney region's urban water supply system using data from Sydney Water Corporation, Shoalhaven City Council and Wingecarribee Shire Council
b. Desalinated water supply to urban water system
During the 2011–12 year, the Kurnell Desalination Plant supplied 61,290 ML to the Sydney Water Corporation's urban water system.
Quantification approach
Data source
Provided by
Method
The volume was derived from flow meter data on the outflow of desalinated water from the plant.
The flow meter data are continually monitored and recorded. Flow meters are maintained and calibrated according to meter manufacturers' specifications. The data are stored within a complex data management system. Adjustments are made to the data (if necessary) to correct any interruptions, errors and so on. Data have been extracted for the 2011–12 year from the data management system.
Assumptions, limitations, caveats and approximations
Uncertainty information
The volume is based on measured data. Estimated uncertainty based on meter accuracy is +/– 2%.