Water in NSW

WaterNSW is one of four main agencies tasked with implementing the regulatory framework and managing water in NSW. While the agencies work together to achieve the best possible economic, social, cultural and environment outcomes for the people of NSW, each agency has it's own roles and responsibilities.

• Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (NSW DCCEEW) - assesses and recommends changes to NSW’s water legislation, water sharing/water resource plans, water management rules and licence or approval conditions. These plans, rules and legislation form the regulatory framework that all water users and operators must work within. The Conservation Programs, Heritage, and Regulation Group (CPHR) Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water–Environment and Heritage manage environmental water within NSW, including environmental water licences held by the NSW Government and planned environmental water allocations made under water sharing plans.


• At WaterNSW, it is our responsibility to capture, store and deliver water, when and where it matters. We operate the state’s dams like Warragamba Dam in Greater Sydney and Burrendong Dam in regional NSW, using our knowledge of nature, science and engineering. We then supply that water ready for distribution – for the environment, agriculture, industry and the community. WaterNSW has a number of main functions:
  • We manage dams and protect the Greater Sydney drinking water catchment
  • We supply water to customers, communities and the environment
  • We build, maintain and operate essential infrastructure
  • We service customers – from farmers to local councils – providing support for water licensing and approvals, trades and billing, to meet their water needs
  • We own and operate the largest surface and groundwater monitoring network in the southern hemisphere.


• Natural Resource Access Regulator (NRAR) - responsible for compliance with and enforcement of the regulatory framework for water including water management rules.