World Water Day on Wednesday 22 March is about accelerating change to solve the water and sanitation crisis and a chance to highlight Central Coast’s Council’s plans to secure safe drinking water for the region. 

Council operates three dams (Mangrove Creek Dam, Mardi Dam and Mooney Mooney Dam) and three water treatment plants (Mardi, Somersby and Woy Woy), supplying filtered, treated drinking water to over 139,000 homes and businesses.

Council’s Director of Water and Sewer, Jamie Loader, said to deliver on an increasing demand of quality water, Council will start upgrades to Mardi Water Treatment Plant later in the year.

“The upgrades should be completed in 2025 and will secure the treatment plant’s capacity to treat up to 160 million litres per day under contemporary raw water quality conditions and support the growing population of the Central Coast,” Mr Loader said.

“This will help us continue to optimise the region’s raw water sources including Wyong River, Ourimbah Creek and Mardi Dam as well as preserve our drought contingency supplies stored in Mangrove Dam so the Central Coast can continue to access safe and secure drinking water.

Council Administrator, Rik Hart said Council is committed to continuing to innovate in a responsible, sustainable and strategic manner to ensure the security of the Coast’s water supply into the future. Council sets and achieves water standards above the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.

“Although La Niña increased dam water levels, as raw water must be treated before use, we encourage our community to be water smart ensuring we all take responsibility to preserve our valuable water resource”, Mr Hart said.

Everyone plays a part to support making a difference by changing the way they use, consume, and manage water in their lives.

Central Coast Council’s ‘LoveWater’ website provides the community with home water saving tips and educational resources, including an interactive Working With Water game. Visit lovewater.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au to find out more.