Water is a vital resource for day-to-day operations at Port Waratah. We carefully manage water captured onsite, ensuring it meets the necessary quality standards for reuse across various operational needs. These include essential activities such as dust suppression, operational wash down and firefighting systems.

Our water management systems maintain site water needs by capturing surface water runoff from rainfall events, as well as water that has already been used in various terminal operations via a network of drains, sumps and ponds. These ponds facilitate the settling and clarification process of suspended particles, playing a critical role in the treatment process and ensuring water is available and reused efficiently.

Detention Pond A, the largest stormwater storage at Kooragang Terminal with a 55ML capacity, underwent a major clean-out campaign was carried out from late 2024 through 2025 to remove accumulated sediment and vegetation.

Due to the scale and operational complexity of maintaining stormwater functionality during works, particularly with the increased rainfall received, traditional excavation and trucking methods were combined with dredging. The dredge first cleared surface vegetation before using powerful suction to remove sediment, which was pumped into geotextile filtration bags for dewatering and storage. Routine maintenance activity such as pond desilting is critical to maintaining designed pond storage capacity and facilitate efficient water harvesting for operational purposes.   

Routine maintenance activity is critical to maintaining designed pond storage capacity and facilitate efficient water harvesting for operational purposes.

The recent upgrade to Detention Pond B, including a new pump and piping system, has significantly improved water supply availability and quality.

Our water management systems maintain site water needs by capturing surface water runoff from rainfall events, as well as water that has already been used in various terminal operations via a network of drains, sumps and ponds. These ponds facilitate the settling and clarification process of suspended particles, playing a critical role in the treatment process and ensuring water is available and reused efficiently.

Detention Pond B’s upgraded infrastructure now delivers four times the previous transfer rate, enabling greater harvesting of recycled process water. A floating pontoon suction line was added to maintain efficient water extraction enhancing water quality in transfers for operational use.