Rules for taking water
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To help ensure water is shared fairly and available to all lawful users and the environment, it's important to go by the rules when you take water.
It's an offence to tamper with a water meter, to take water when the meter’s not working, and to steal water. Compliance officers monitor water use around the state. High penalties of up to $1.1 million for an individual, and $2.2 million for a corporation, can be imposed. Read more >>
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Water for Life
Follow a water drop on its journey through dams, recycling, desalination and water efficiency measures on the interactive Water for Life website. The website outlines the four main elements of the Metropolitan Water Plan to secure greater Sydney's water supply. Read more >>
Water sharing plans
Following community consultation, a water sharing plan is formally gazetted by the Minister and becomes a legal document under the Water Management Act 2000. Once a water sharing plan commences, the rules apply within the plan area. Read more >>
Stay informed with algal alerts
Algal blooms can cause waters to be unsafe in both freshwater and marine water environments. Algal alerts are issued by Regional Algal Coordinating Committees responsible for the local management of algal blooms. Call the NSW algae hotline on 1800 999 457 for algal alerts. Read more >>
Get the most out of your water licence
Water dealings can involve buying or selling your water access licence or part of it. It can also mean buying or selling allocation water, changing the location where a licence can be used and even subdividing and consolidating licences. This can maximise the commercial benefits of your water licence. Read more or get an application form here >>
Integrated Water Cycle Management
Integrated Water Cycle Management is a 30-year planning tool for local water utilities. It is the best practice method of integrating and providing urban water services across potable water, sewage and, where cost-effective, stormwater. This method of management looks at the entire water cycle covering catchment, climate change, recycling and rainwater tanks. Find out more >>
Securing water for Sydney
The 2006 Metropolitan Water Plan is the NSW Government's plan to ensure a sustainable and secure supply of water for greater Sydney. The four major parts of the plan: dams, recycling, desalination and water efficiency, together with the plan's adaptive approach, are preparing greater Sydney for drought, a changing climate and a growing population, providing enough water for people and the environment. The plan is currently being updated. Read more >>
Water licensing for corporations
The water licence of a major utility entitles it to take and use water from a water source under a comprehensive set of licence conditions. The conditions cover works authorisations, operating requirements, monitoring, reporting and scientific studies. Licensing requirements are developed based on community consultation and technical information. Read more >>
Country Towns Water Supply and Sewerage Program
The NSW Office of Water provides technical, management and financial support to local water utilities through the Country Towns Water Supply and Sewerage Program. The program has enabled the completion of more than 300 water supply and sewerage projects delivering enhanced public health, improved environmental outcomes and security of supply to more than one million people in country areas of NSW. Read more >>
Farm dams
Harvestable rights allow landholders to collect up to 10 per cent of the average regional rainwater runoff on their property for use in farm dams, provided the dam is built on a hillside or minor stream. If the amount of water landholders harvest was not limited, flows in rivers would be greatly reduced, threatening aquatic ecosystems and water supplies. Read more >>
Drilling services
The NSW Office of Water operates a commercial Groundwater Drilling Unit with a range of drilling equipment for different types of bores. This service specialises in larger or more difficult projects that few contractors have the expertise or equipment to undertake. Read more >>
Office of the Hawkesbury–Nepean
The Office of the Hawkesbury–Nepean is a NSW Government initiative to improve the health of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River system. The Office works with State Government agencies and local councils to ensure that the management of the river is more coordinated and less complicated. It provides a single point of contact for the community, so concerns about the river can be dealt with directly. Read more >>
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