About water for cities and towns
Over 7.2 million people live in cities and towns in NSW and receive drinking water and wastewater services from public or private water utilities. For our communities to continue to thrive, it is vital that safe, affordable, and sustainable water supplies and wastewater services are secured now and into the future.
The department provides strategic leadership in planning, delivering and monitoring strategies and projects to meet these goals for residential, industrial and commercial customers.
Water and wastewater services in NSW’s cities and towns, and who is responsible
‘Cities and towns’ refer to metropolitan and coastal areas as well as smaller regional cities and towns across the state.
State-owned corporations provide drinking water and wastewater services and manage drinking water catchments, in Greater Sydney, Hunter and Broken Hill regions through:
- Sydney Water
- Hunter Water
- Essential Energy, via its water supply authority Essential Water
- WaterNSW
Local water utilities provide drinking water and wastewater services to cities and towns in local government areas outside Greater Sydney, Hunter and Broken Hill regions. There are 89 council-owned and operated local water utilities that provide these services.
Private water utilities provide drinking water, recycled water, and wastewater services to residential, commercial, and industrial developments in metropolitan and regional NSW. Private water utilities are regulated under the Water Industry Competition Act.
How we work
The department plays a central role in policy reform and the regulation of water for cities and towns. The department works closely with the Minister for Water, utilities, independent regulators, the community and other stakeholders to ensure that drinking water catchments are managed appropriately and that high quality water and wastewater services are provided in a cost-effective manner to customers.
The Minister for Water has responsibilities and powers under legislation that relate to the provision of water and wastewater services to cities and towns.
Water utilities own, manage and deliver water infrastructure and services to cities and towns across the state.
The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) is the independent regulator for state-owned corporations, Central Coast Council, Essential Water and private water utilities. IPART regulates prices and performance of these utilities, conducts regular operating licence reviews and recommends new licences to the Minister for Water.
Water bills
IPART sets the maximum water prices for Sydney Water, Hunter Water, WaterNSW, Essential Water and Central Coast Council customers.
Public water utilities offer rebates for eligible pensioners on water and wastewater charges. Eligible customers can apply directly to their water utility.
Private water utilities offer rebates for eligible pensioners on their water and wastewater charges. Eligible customers can apply directly to the department.
Strategies, plans and programs
The department develops strategies, plans and programs to achieve water security, quality, efficiency and accountability. Learn more about our water strategies, plans and programs below.
Our two metropolitan water plans provide Sydney and the Lower Hunter with more sustainable and resilient water supplies for now and into the future.
NSW water sector agencies are supporting the NSW Government’s commitment to meet housing targets through the Housing Approval Reform Action Plan.
Water is critical to the health, resilience, liveability and economic sustainability of communities. The efficient use of water contributes to long-term supply as population increases, builds resilience and supports readiness to respond to future weather extremes, such as drought.
Our Aboriginal Communities Water and Sewerage Program aims to improve the health and wellbeing of residents in Aboriginal communities across the state.
Many towns and cities rely on a single source of water. The department supports the use of alternative water sources to provide cities and towns with a resilient and secure water supply.
The roadmap aims to make it easier for water utilities to assess, cost and engage with their customers on recycled water. A key initiative of the roadmap is our dedicated concierge service, which provides industry with information and guidance on the planning and use for recycled water.
IWCM aims to ensure everyone has access to water while balancing the needs of people, the economy and the environment and protecting water sources and ecosystems.