NSW Labor slams state government over plans for sewage to be spilled into Sydney Harbour

There are plans for sewage to be spilled into Sydney Harbour under the NSW Government, according to the state’s Opposition.

Sydney Water plan to construct 25 new overflow pipes near the harbour, with structures planned for Mosman, Putney and Drummoyne.

A statement from Sydney Water said the pipe at the Drummoyne Wharf would be positioned eight metres out into the Parramatta River and would overflow twice a year.

"The position of the wastewater emergency relief structure minimises any impacts to human health and on aquatic species and vegetation habitat," the statement said.

"The wastewater released during extreme wet weather is highly diluted and is around 99 percent water."

The overflows were regulated by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) to help prevent sewage overflowing back into bathrooms and laundries during heavy rainfall.

Labor’s environment spokeswoman Penny Sharpe labelled the plans outdated and said they were a “cheap fix”.

"In 2016 there should not be 25 locations where raw sewage is finding its way into our water ways," she said.

"There are modern solutions where sewage is not just simply pumped into the waterways yet it appears that Sydney Water just do not have the money to be fixing it and that is unacceptable."