NSW Government launches feasibility study for Prospect Reservoir, while pristine Western Sydney Lakes sits idle. Have your say.

The NSW Government has announced it will fast-track a feasibility study that will look at opening Prospect Reservoir up to the public for swimming. 

Prospect Reservoir is one of the backup water supplies for Sydney. While there are already dams across the state that are utilised for both drinking water and recreation, Western Sydney Lakes, a pristine freshwater waterway at the foot of the Blue Mountains is being given little consideration as an alternate swimming spot in Sydney. 

Have your say in our poll below.

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Western Sydney is calling out for more swimming spots, particularly as we move into what is expected to be one of our hottest summers in years. While Parramatta and surrounds can visit the newly opened Parramatta Aquatic Centre and Lake Parramatta, as you move further west there are fewer options for the community. 

Early investigations by Sydney Water’s Urban Plunge team at the Lakes have already identified that the water quality is primary contact (i.e. suitable for swimming) and after more than 10+ years of consistent testing data, all signs point to the Lakes as the perfect recreation spot for the community. 

The Lakes are a purpose-built pristine series of freshwater waterways, set against the backdrop of the beautiful Blue Mountains. Of the three main large lakes, one is dedicated entirely to the conservation of local flora and fauna and this was gifted to NSW Government in December 2022 (Wildlife Lake), with the other two main lakes intended to be inland water recreational beaches for the community. Prospect Reservoir, by comparison, requires much more work to make it appropriate for community swimming, let alone delivering picturesque surroundings. 

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How do they compare?

Prospect Reservoir	Penrith Lakes Beach
Back up Sydney water supply	Purpose built lake (operating for more than 25 years)
Upgrades to water filtration and treatment required	Primary contact water achieved through Sydney Water
No sandy beach	700m sandy beach available now
50 Gigalitres	38 Gigalitres total with a 7 Gigalitres lake built for passive use
Depth of 24m	Depth of 6-8m: accessible safe shallow sand gradient to the clean, fresh, tide-free waters

It's time for the Western Sydney community to be able to cool themselves on those long hot summer days in their own backyard!

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Have your say on swimming spots in Western Sydney