Water management strategies and research in NSW

The NSW Water Strategy is a holistic plan for improving the security, reliability, quality and resilience of our water resources.

Learn more about the NSW Water Strategy.

There are many projects and programs underway to improve the security, reliability, quality and resilience of water resources across NSW. Find more information about NSW water projects and programs.

Water availability

The government monitors water systems in NSW and determines water allocations. Water is allocated based on availability and water-sharing plans. Allocations vary over time based on the water available in dams, rivers, and the current conditions of the catchment and the weather.

The government is responsible for:

• imposing temporary water restrictions for regulated and unregulated river sources, and groundwater sources
• setting water policy
• developing water-sharing plans and floodplain management plans
• providing expert advice to groundwater trades and bore applications
• providing technical and financial assistance to town water supply providers.

Water storage and licences

WaterNSW is responsible for:

• managing water dams, stores and pipelines to supply water
• protecting water quality
• most water licensing in NSW
• responding to natural disasters as they affect our water supply.

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water licenses major water users, including:

• other NSW Government or Australian Government agencies
• local councils
• mining companies
• irrigation corporations
• schools
• hospitals.

The Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) enforces compliance with licence conditions and temporary water restrictions.

Water monitoring

WaterNSW monitors the quality and quantity of the state's surface water and groundwater. Data is collected from a variety of sources, including:

• river gauging stations
• groundwater monitoring stations
• weather monitoring stations
• manual sample collections.

Using this data, WaterNSW makes informed decisions on how to manage water resources and to share information with NSW communities.

See Drought in NSW

For information on drought funding, policy, preparation, management and recovery.