Our department
We lead the water sector to develop a strategic approach to managing water at the state, regional and metropolitan levels. We manage the state’s surface and groundwater and develop and implement plans for water security in NSW.
We manage regional and metropolitan water supply use, and ensure water resources are shared equitably. We are transparent about how water is shared, allocated and managed. We deliver services and reforms which support sustainable and healthy environments, economies and societies.
We also deliver major water infrastructure projects and have built a compliance and enforcement regime that ensures strong and certain regulation.
Our department also works in collaboration with governments across the Murray Darling Basin to improve water security, river health and environmental outcomes.
Contact information for general water enquiries as well as a dedicated line for reporting illegal or suspicious activities.
Meet our leadership team and learn about each division's responsibilities.
We work to ensure there is an equitable and transparent approach to the management of NSW water now and for future generations.
Find out about the fees we can charge for licences, approvals and other dealings, water management charges and 2-part tariff billing.
Information about acts and regulations, our policies, intergovernmental agreements and our role in assessing major developments.
Learn the fundamentals about water, our key work and what the department is responsible for.
Read about the department's reporting obligations.
Keep up to date on the work of the water group by subscribing to our newsletters.
A collection of documents relating to the work and research of the department's Water Group. The library includes current and archived publications.