Water NSW Talk Groups

Water NSW is the state-owned corporation responsible for capturing, storing, and supplying bulk water across New South Wales. It operates the state’s dams and water infrastructure, ensuring water delivery for towns, agriculture, industry, and the environment.

Core Functions of Water NSW

• • • • Water Capture and Storage: Operates 41 major dams and hundreds of waterways across NSW, managing the state’s bulk water resources.
        •     Water Supply:
        •     Supplies water to Sydney Water, local councils, regional towns, and licensed operators under the Water Industry Competition Act.
        •     Delivers water for agriculture, industry, environmental flows, and community use.
        •     Infrastructure Management:
        •     Designs, builds, and maintains water storages and management works.
        •     Ensures infrastructure is operated efficiently, safely, and economically.
        •     Catchment Protection:
        •     Manages declared catchment areas to protect water quality, public health, and the environment.
        •     Customer Service:
        •     Provides water services to over 8 million people across NSW, including farmers, towns, and utilities.

 Regulatory and Collaborative Roles

• • • • Legislative Framework: Governed by the Water NSW Act 2014, which outlines its objectives and operational standards.
        •     Interagency Collaboration:
        •     Works with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) and the Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) under a formal Roles and Responsibilities Agreement.
        •     Coordinates licensing, approvals, and water management planning.

Environmental Stewardship

• • • • Releases water for environmental purposes to support river health and ecosystems.
      • Implements sustainable water management practices to balance human and ecological needs.

Water NSW plays a foundational role in NSW’s water security, infrastructure planning, and environmental protection.