Sydney Water's Malabar Wastewater Treatment System has been identified as the likely source of debris balls that washed up on NSW beaches between October 2024 and February 2025.
This development is based on evidence collected by Sydney Water under an EPA Preliminary Investigation Notice, which narrowed the origin of the debris to within the Malabar system.
The EPA's Independent Wastewater Expert Panel reviewed this evidence in September, and recommended Sydney Water undertake further investigations and actions to pinpoint potential sources of the debris within the Malabar System.
This work is underway and will inform Sydney Water's short, medium, and long-term strategies to reduce the likelihood of a similar incident from recurring. This work is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
