ABOUT US
Our purpose is to enable the sustainable growth of the region and the life our communities desire, by providing high quality, affordable services. Hunter Water serves a population of more than 600,000 people in homes and businesses across the Lower Hunter. We provide stormwater services to about one third of our water and wastewater customers. We also provide trade wastewater, recycled water and raw water services. Hunter Water’s area of operations is 5,366 square kilometres and includes the local government areas of Cessnock, Dungog, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Newcastle, Port Stephens and a small part of Singleton. We collaborate with stakeholders, advocacy groups and all levels of government so that together we can achieve value for money for our customers and community. Hunter Water is owned by the NSW Government. The Hunter Water Act 1991 and State Owned Corporations Act 1989 established Hunter Water and set out our principal functions. Our proud roots go back to the 1880s when water was first delivered to Newcastle from a temporary pumping station on the Hunter River at Oakhampton via the Newcastle No 1 Reservoir. Like our region, we have grown considerably since then, and we are constantly looking for new ways to provide exceptional services, enable good development and be innovative. We are committed to being a great employer that operates in an efficient and productive manner, enhancing the wellbeing of our employees. The safety of our people and communities is our highest priority. That includes the safety of Hunter Water’s drinking water, which is paramount and confirmed through an extensive monitoring program. We have 68 sampling locations across our drinking water network and routinely test for a wide range of physical, chemical and biological characteristics at all stages of the supply system. We carefully monitor and treat our wastewater to ensure that we protect the environment. The Office of Environment and Heritage’s Beachwatch program confirms we have some of the best beaches and swimming sites in New South Wales, with our waterways clean and safe to use. Our employees provide services to our customers by building, operating and maintaining a portfolio of water, wastewater, recycled water and stormwater assets with a value of more than $2.9 billion. Together we are building our water resilience capabilities and ensuring a sustainable water future.
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HUNTER WATER ANNUAL REPORT 2020
