There are 105 local water utilities in NSW. Local water utilities are responsible for providing water supply and sewerage services to NSW non-metropolitan urban communities.
The NSW Government provides assistance to local water utilities for the provision of water and sewerage infrastructure through the Country Towns Water Supply and Sewerage Program via funding and the Integrated Water Cycle Management process via advice and expertise.
The NSW Government, through an independent Inquiry, is seeking to examine the institutional and regulatory arrangements by which town water supply and sewerage services are provided in country NSW.
Quick facts about local water utilities
- Number of local water utilities in non-metropolitan NSW – 105
- Population served for water supply – 1.8 million (97.9 per cent coverage)
- Population served for sewerage services – 1.7 million (95.3 per cent coverage)
- Total assets (water and sewerage) – $20.6 billion (current replacement cost)
- Revenue – $1,076 million
- Number of water supply systems – 350
- Number of sewerage systems – 295
- Total water supplied – 290,000 megalitres
- Average annual residential water supplied – 175 kilolitres per connected property (47 per cent reduction over last 19 years)
- Typical water supply residential bill – $430 (slight reduction in real terms over last 15 years)
- Typical water and sewerage residential bill – $960 (4 per cent increase in real terms over last 15 years).
Local water utilities
The following utilities are exercising water supply functions under the Water Management Act 2000:
The following Local Government Councils are exercising water supply functions under Division 2 Part 3 Chapter 6 Local Government Act 1993:
Local councils exercising water supply functions under
Division 2 Part 3 Chapter 6 Local Government Act 1993 |
| Albury City Council |
Gilgandra Shire Council |
Orange City Council |
| Armidale Dumaresq Council |
Glen Innes Municipal Council |
Palerang Council |
| Ballina Shire Council |
Goldenfields Water County Council |
Parkes Shire Council |
| Balranald Shire Council |
Goulburn Mulwaree Council |
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council |
| Bathurst Regional City Council |
Greater Hume Shire Council |
Queanbeyan City Council |
| Bega Valley Shire Council |
Griffith City Council |
Richmond Valley Council |
| Bellingen Shire Council |
Gundagai Shire Council |
Riverina Water County Council |
| Berrigan Shire Council |
Gunnedah Shire Council |
Rous County Council |
| Bland Shire Council |
Guyra Shire Council |
Shoalhaven City Council |
| Blayney Shire Council |
Gwydir Shire Council |
Singleton Shire Council |
| Bogan Shire Council |
Harden Shire Council |
Snowy River Shire Council |
| Bombala Council |
Hay Shire Council |
Tamworth Regional Council |
| Boorowa Council |
Inverell Shire Council |
Temora Shire Council |
| Bourke Shire Council |
Jerilderie Shire Council |
Tenterfield Shire Council |
| Brewarrina Shire Council |
Junee Shire Council |
Tumbarumba Shire Council |
| Byron Shire Council |
Kempsey Shire Council |
Tumut Council |
| Cabonne Shire Council |
Kyogle Council |
Tweed Shire Council |
| Carrathool Shire Council |
Lachlan Shire Council |
Upper Hunter Shire Council |
| Central Darling Shire Council |
Leeton Shire Council |
Upper Lachlan Council |
| Central Tablelands County Council |
Lismore City Council |
Uralla Shire Council |
| Clarence Valley Council |
Lithgow City Council |
Urana Shire Council |
| Cobar Shire Council |
Liverpool Plains Shire Council |
Wagga Wagga City Council |
| Coffs Harbour City Council |
Lockhart Shire Council |
Wakool Shire Council |
| Coolamon Shire Council |
Mid-Western Regional Council |
Walcha Council |
| Cooma – Monaro Shire Council |
Mid Coast County Council |
Walgett Shire Council |
| Coonamble Shire Council |
Murray Shire Council |
Warren Shire Council |
| Cootamundra Shire Council |
Murrumbidgee Shire Council |
Warrumbungle Shire Council |
| Corowa Shire Council |
Muswellbrook Shire Council |
Weddin Shire Council |
| Cowra Shire Council |
Nambucca Shire Council |
Wellington Council |
| Deniliquin Council |
Narrabri Shire Council |
Wentworth Shire Council |
| Dubbo City Council |
Narrandera Shire Council |
Wingecarribee Shire Council |
| Eurobodalla Shire Council |
Narromine Shire Council |
Yass Valley Council |
| Forbes Shire Council |
Oberon Council |
Young Shire Council |
Major water utilities
The following utilities are exercising water supply functions under the Water Management Act 2000:
- Delta Electricity
- Eraring Energy
- Hunter Water Corporation Limited
- Macquarie Generation
- State Water Corporation
- Sydney Catchment Authority
- Sydney Water Corporation
These utilities hold corporate licences issued by the NSW Office of Water.
Water supply authorities
The Water Management Act 2000 also defines the following as water supply authorities:
- Benerembah Irrigation District Environment Protection Trust
- Upper Parramatta River Catchment Trust
- Sydney Olympic Park Authority
Central Coast Water Corporation
The establishment of the Central Coast Water Corporation in February 2011 is a significant reform achievement. Gosford City Council and Wyong Shire Council have resolved to progressively transfer their water supply, sewerage and drainage functions to the Corporation by July 2013.
The Corporation will operate on a commercial basis and will have substantial strengths in operational expertise, management skills, procurement, business and resource planning.
Fish River Water Supply Scheme
The Fish River Water Supply Scheme supplies water to Oberon and Lithgow, as well as to the Sydney Catchment Authority and Delta Electricity. The NSW Office of Water reviewed the Fish River Water Supply Scheme's water sharing arrangements and developed some recommendations to enhance water security for the town of Oberon while minimising any impacts on other stakeholders within the scheme.