Metropolitan water

The NSW Government provides a secure supply of water across the two major metropolitan water regions in New South Wales:

• greater Sydney, which includes the areas of Sydney, Illawarra and the Blue Mountains
• the Lower Hunter region, which  covers the areas of Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Cessnock and Port Stephens.

The NSW Office of Water oversees and coordinates the Metropolitan Water Plan. This is a comprehensive plan which secures the water supply of greater Sydney, preparing it for drought, a changing climate and a growing population.

There are four major parts that make up this plan to secure our water for life:

• Dams
• Recycling
• Desalination
• Water Efficiency.

These measures, together with the plan's adaptive approach, ensure we have enough water for people and the environment.

Hunter Water, a state-owned corporation, provides water and wastewater services to almost half-a-million people in the lower Hunter. Its long term strategy is outlined in the H250 Plan.

Water supply and sewerage services to non-metropolitan urban communities in NSW are provided by local water utilities.

To find out more about water access, licensing and trade for landholders go to water licensing.

For information on algal blooms go to algal information.