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The NSW Office of Water is charged with the responsibility of regulating access to water across New South Wales. A key component of this responsibility is ensuring compliance with water legislation. Compliance with the legislation is essential to ensure equitable sharing of the resource. It becomes even more critical in periods of drought, such as those over recent years.
Rights and responsibilities
A Water Compliance Policy (PDF 228 KB) was developed by the former Department of Water and Energy to inform the community, key water users and stakeholders about their rights and responsibilities, and how the NSW Government intends to manage compliance using its authority in a fair and equitable manner. This policy is supported by operational procedures that guide NSW Office of Water officials.
New Water Management Act 2000 compliance powers
Changes to the State's water compliance powers were approved by the NSW Parliament in October 2008 as part of a range of amendments to improve the Water Management Act 2000 in response to drought and climate change.
The changes come into effect on 1 January 2009. New offences and penalties will apply and there are improved powers for monitoring and enforcing compliance with NSW water laws. Read our question and answer document on the new compliance powers (PDF 105 KB).
You can get more information about the Water Management Act 2000 from the NSW legislation site.
Help stop illegal water activities
The NSW Government manages the State's water resources to ensure our precious water is shared fairly and sustainably between water users including the environment. While most water users do the right thing, some people illegally pump or divert water either without a licence or not in compliance with their licence conditions
Illegal water activities threaten the supply of legitimate water users and can damage the environment.
The NSW Government is working hard to prevent, detect and stop illegal water activities by:
- better educating the community on the rules
- running targeted compliance operations using specialised investigation officers
- enforcing tough penalties for offenders.
You can help stop illegal water activities by informing the NSW Office of Water of any suspicious activities, such as:
- pumping from a stream during periods when pumping is not permitted
- water flow in a river suddenly stopping
- a dam or earthworks being constructed in a creek or river
- water being diverted from a creek or river
- healthy looking crops particularly during prolonged periods of banned pumping
- water carriers replenishing from rivers or creeks.
To make a confidential report, please contact the NSW Office of Water on 1800 633 362 or send an email to watercompliance@dwe.nsw.gov.au.
The more information we have the better. Before submitting a report, please try to obtain the following details:
- type of activity
- time, date and location of activity
- description, registration numbers and type of any vehicles or plant involved
- any other information you think is relevant.
The information you provide could help stop illegal water use activities in your local area and ensure a secure, sustainable supply for you and your community.
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