Sydney's Water Being Saved from Chemicals

More than 22 tons of chemical waste that could have threatened Sydney's water supplies have been removed.

NSW Environment Minister Bob Debus said the waste from households, businesses and farms in Sydney's water catchment area was removed in the last financial year.

The chemicals carted away ranged from paints, solvents, recyclable material such as sump oil and lead acid car batteries to environmentally harmful substances such as organochlorine pesticides.

"The collections scheme is part of the NSW government's five-year $272 million package of initiatives aimed at improving Sydney's drinking water from the catchments to the tap," Debus said.

The free scheme would continue for another year, he said.

Collections were made from the Blue Mountains, Central West, Shoalhaven, Southern Highlands, Southern Tablelands and Wollondilly areas - all part of the catchment for Sydney's water supply.

Source: AAP