Metering in the Hawkesbury-Nepean

The NSW Office of Water will install or upgrade water metering systems for up to 2,000 licensed surface water users in the Hawkesbury Nepean catchment as part of the water balance accounting project. Read more >>

Thinking of drilling for water?

Before you construct a bore, spear point, well, or excavate to access groundwater, you should ensure that you hold a bore licence or approval and comply with its conditions, and that your bore driller has a current licence issued by the NSW Office of Water. Read more or get an application form here >>

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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

Groundwater management

Groundwater supplies more than ten per cent of water used for drinking, stock, agriculture and industry in NSW. Many different ecosystems rely on groundwater. We are investigating groundwater-surface water connections to understand how water moves between rivers and nearby aquifers affecting water availability. Read more >>

How effective are water sharing plans in your catchment?

It is important to know if water sharing plans are meeting their objectives. To find out, the NSW Office of Water is assessing the ecological and socio-economic performance of water sharing plans. Valley progress reports highlight these investigations. View the progress report for your area. Read more >>

Guide to Basin Plan released by Murray-Darling Basin Authority

The Basin Plan is a Commonwealth Government initiative that will set enforceable limits on water extraction in the Murray-Darling Basin. The plan will also include an Environmental Watering Plan and a Water Quality and Salinity Management Plan. To read more, go to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.

2010 Metropolitan Water Plan

The 2010 Metropolitan Water Plan, developed in consultation with the community, ensures Sydney has enough water untill at least 2025.

The 2010 plan builds on the success of the 2006 Metropolitan Water Plan, continuing its focus on dams, recycling, desalination and water efficiency.

Read the full 2010 Metropolitan Water Plan or the 2010 Metropolitan Water Plan summary (PDF 3.4 MB).

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 >>