Newsroom

WaterNSW CEO David Harris today responded to the NSW Ombudsman’s report into water regulation compliance.

WaterNSW is inviting former dam builders along with the broader community to mark 50 years since the construction of Blowering Dam was completed.

The NSW Government has announced details of its initiative to waive the fixed charge component cost of most Water Licences in rural and regional NSW.

Installation of the Burrendong Dam cold water pollution curtain has reached the final stage, with work to be completed in mid-August, allowing the trial to control downstream water temperatures to resume.

WaterNSW will undertake a bulk water transfer from Windamere Dam to Burrendong Dam as soon as November if current dry weather conditions persist.

A Red Alert warning (high alert) for blue-green algae has been issued for the Chifley Dam near Bathurst.

WaterNSW has further consolidated its role as the principal source of customer services and water information in NSW following the addition of crucial information to its website.

As a result of the NSW Government’s water reform package, there are now four agencies responsible for developing and implementing the regulatory framework for water management in regional NSW.

The 2017/18 water year is set to close which could result in some customers forfeiting water.

A red alert level warning (high alert) for blue-green algae has been issued for Macintyre River below Goondiwindi. This alert is applicable for the entire Macintyre River below Goondiwindi.

WaterNSW has developed a 20-year infrastructure options study for the state’s major rural river valleys to address future challenges in operating regulated river systems, with potential to enhance service levels and guide future investment.

A red alert warning (high alert) for blue-green algae has been issued for Cudgegong River arm of Burrendong Dam located in the Central West region.

The Central West Regional Algal Coordinating Committee (CW-RACC) today announced that the previously issued high level algal warning (red alert) at Windamere Dam has now been downgraded to medium level (amber alert).

A pump restriction remains in place for A, B and C class irrigation licences in the Barwon-Darling as a major environmental release being conducted by WaterNSW on behalf of state and Commonwealth governments reaches Brewarrina.

WaterNSW advises the market that it has processed a large order from an established tagged licence in the Murray system for delivery in the Murrumbidgee valley.  The order was placed by Murrumbidgee Irrigation, who consented to WaterNSW identifying them.

A major environmental release being conducted by WaterNSW on behalf of state and Commonwealth governments is set to peak on the Barwon River at Collarenebri within 24 hours.

In accordance with our Operating Licence, WaterNSW has recalculated the System Yield in respect of the Declared Catchment Area.

Temporary pump restrictions on A, B and C class water access licences in the Barwon-Darling Unregulated River now apply for the entire length of the system, WaterNSW confirmed today.

Water trading in the Murrumbidgee valley is set to close for the year and could impact on the carryover water held by licence holders.

WaterNSW will begin delivering a major environmental release on behalf of the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) and the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder (CEWH) into the Barwon-Darling system that could extend from Mungindi as far as the Menindee lakes.

The Chaffey Dam wall will be opened for public tours as part of the WaterNSW Chaffey Dam Open Day on Saturday, 21 April 2018.

Temporary restrictions on A, B and C class water access licences in the Barwon-Darling Unregulated River announced on 9 March have been extended to 28 April, WaterNSW confirmed today.

WaterNSW has constructed a block bank between Lake Tandure and Lake Wetherell and commenced pumping from Tandure to Wetherell, to ensure maximum usage of water in the system to support local communities.

WaterNSW is encouraging campers and visitors to enjoy the designated family-friendly section at the Bendeela Recreation Area, with the rear camping area open to vehicles for Easter and the April school holidays.

The public is being encouraged to utilise a new online tool to be informed of possible blue-green algae alerts in New South Wales waterways.

WaterNSW has commenced the implementation of a key recommendation from the Matthews report into water management, which called for greater transparency around water regulation.

Temporary restrictions on A, B and C class water access licences in the Barwon-Darling Unregulated River will be in place from 9 March, WaterNSW announced today.

WaterNSW will implement more rigorous internal processes to ensure that information provided to regulatory authorities is accurate.

WaterNSW today announces that following an extensive period of investigation, it has commenced several prosecution proceedings.

WaterNSW is preparing to transfer water from Lake Tandure into Lake Wetherell as the Menindee lakes system total storage volume falls below 17% of capacity.

WaterNSW has welcomed a report into its operations by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART).

WaterNSW strongly supports the NSW Government’s decision to establish an independent expert panel to advise on future longwall mining applications in the Sydney drinking water catchment’s sensitive Special Areas.

Public access to the Nepean Dam crest and recreation areas will be closed temporarily on weekdays from 19 February until further notice as work begins to upgrade electrical infrastructure at five of WaterNSW’s metropolitan dams.

WaterNSW has released figures confirming that evaporation and losses due to seepage consumed the majority of the water that made its way into the Menindee lakes system in the past 18 months.

WaterNSW could begin pumping water from Lake Tandure into Lake Wetherell as soon as March if the prevailing drought conditions continue to dry the Darling River.

WaterNSW is advising visitors to Oberon Dam that the popular park will remain open for picnics and day visits, while maintenance work is underway on the playground, which will be off limits.

WaterNSW is working with Lower Darling landholders to maintain supply to Broken Hill while extending supply to communities downstream of Menindee lakes for as long as possible.

As required under the Pesticides Regulation 2009 Water NSW gives notice of weed and pest control work by Water NSW or approved contractors in the following locations within the Sydney drinking water declared catchment:

WaterNSW has launched a world-leading contact centre platform for our customers, building on a huge 12 months of transformation for the organisation.

WaterNSW will increase staff and provide an alcohol-free, family-friendly section at its popular Bendeela Recreation Area in the Kangaroo Valley over the summer holiday period.

WaterNSW is planning to ensure Broken Hill and Menindee communities receive a continuous flow of water even if there is a repeat of the worst drought on record.

Landholders reliant on the Fish River Water Supply Scheme will be subjected to Lithgow City Council’s Level 3 water restrictions as WaterNSW completes vital maintenance work from December 5-8.

WaterNSW dams will capture any run-off generated by a major weather event forecast to occur in coming days over the central and southern regions of NSW.

The NSW Ombudsman’s most recent investigation was triggered in June 2016, when allegations were made against DPI Water’s (now Crown Lands & Water) handling of a certain matter. DPI Water continued to manage compliance in this matter into 2017.

A red level warning (high alert) for blue-green algae has been issued for the storage at Pindari Dam located north of Inverell.

Sydney’s water supply is protected and sustainable.

WaterNSW has appointed a consortium of John Holland, MPC Group and TRILITY to design, build, operate and maintain the River Murray to Broken Hill Pipeline. The project will secure long-term water supply for Broken Hill and enable growth and prosperity for local communities.

A red level warning (high alert) for blue-green algae has been issued for Boggabilla Weir, located at Boggabilla, near Goondiwindi.

WaterNSW’s five metropolitan dams are due to receive a $15 million upgrade to its electrical assets, making the sites safer, more community friendly and meet contemporary standards.

WaterNSW is system operator for the state’s water systems and in that function always seeks to meet both customer and broader community needs.

The scenic Bells Bay Camping Ground near Toonumbar Dam is under caretaker management and will be open for the school holidays, which begin next week.

Berembed weir reserve will reopen to the public from Friday, 22 September, WaterNSW confirmed today.

Key recommendations from a Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) report, which highlights the risk posed to Sydney’s drinking water supply by longwall mining, should be incorporated into the assessment of mining applications, WaterNSW said in a statement today.

WaterNSW welcomes both the Interim Report from Mr Ken Matthews AO, and the response from NSW Minister for Regional Water, The Hon Niall Blair MLC, of in-principle support for the report’s recommendations.

Burrendong investigation to impact river heights.

Stakeholders consulted on drought management options as inflows into Menindee Lakes dwindle.

WaterNSW will work with the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and the Division of Resources and Geosciences (DRG) to ascertain the accuracy of data published today concerning contaminated water being discharged from Berrima Mine.

New Commonwealth Government initiative: Foreign Ownership of Water Entitlements – do you need to register?

WaterNSW to mark half century since Burrendong Dam built.

Water trading will resume in the Murray valley from 10am tomorrow (Tuesday, 27 June).

Increased efficiency in WaterNSW operations has driven down bulk water costs for most customers across regional NSW.

The Woronora Catchment south of Sydney has received over 171mm of rain since Wednesday which has resulted in Woronora dam rising from 95% percent full at the start of the week to 100% full.

WaterNSW is working with relevant authorities and mining companies in response to another minor catchment oil spill, the second such incident detected in recent days.

WaterNSW has co-ordinated a multi-agency response to ensure Sydney’s drinking water was not affected by a minor recent oil spill.

A minor oil spill on mining land approximately 800m from Avon Dam storage

Releases from Wyangala Dam and Lake Brewster are changing, with some river levels and flow rates in the Lachlan river systems set to decrease, while users between Wyangala Dam and Cowra may experience an increased fluctuation of river levels of up to 0.3 m.

WaterNSW has closed public access to Berembed weir recreational area due to concerns about illegal and anti-social behaviour taking place.

WaterNSW is calling for nominations for membership of its 10 newly established Customer Advisory Groups across NSW.

WaterNSW will increase security and provide a family-friendly, no alcohol area at its Bendeela Recreation Area in the Kangaroo Valley over the Easter long weekend and the April school holidays.

WaterNSW will replace a section of the Fish River Water Supply (FRWS) pipeline from early April.

Preparations for the second stage of the Keepit Dam upgrade will begin in the coming weeks, with access to the dam wall to be restricted from Thursday 23 March 2017.

Routine annual maintenance work on outlet valves at Burrendong Dam will not impact on water availability for downstream customers and other users over winter.

WaterNSW has modified its approach to opening of trade applications under the Murray-Murrumbidgee Inter-Valley Trade account (IVT).

The total system of dams supplying Sydney, Blue Mountains and the Illawarra, is currently at 85.8 percent of capacity, with Warragamba Dam at 88.1 percent of capacity.

WaterNSW is pleased to announce the appointment of TCM Civil to undertake stage two of the Fish River Water Supply Replacement Pipeline project.

WaterNSW is working to identify a preferred option to improve long term water security within the Lachlan Valley region. We welcome nominations to join a Community Reference Group (CRG) as part of this project.

WaterNSW manages the Menindee Lakes system to supply licensed customers including Essential Water and lower Darling landholders, as well as ensuring water security for the region. The MDBA calls on water to be released from the lakes as required to contribute to the River Murray System on behalf of Basin governments.

WaterNSW will increase release rates from the Menindee lakes system next week to deliver water ordered by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA), while operating the lakes to maximise future water security.

WaterNSW is advising customers and other users of Balranald weir pool that the water level is likely to fall well below usual summer levels during work to restore the weir’s function following recent flooding.

WaterNSW manages the Menindee Lakes system to supply licensed customers including Essential Water and lower Darling landholders, as well as ensuring water security for the region.

WaterNSW is welcoming campers to the Bendeela Recreation Area again this Christmas, with the rear camping area now open to vehicles.

Further to the recent announcement by the Minister for Primary Industries, Lands and Water, Niall Blair and Member for Barwon, Kevin Humphries, WaterNSW welcomes the opportunity to continue its work on behalf of the government to provide capital works projects that ensure the water security for communities in the Broken Hill region.

Increased releases from Menindee Lakes will commence today, following acceptance of an order from environmental water managers in support of a recent native fish spawning event in the lower Darling.

Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson has today announced that SRG Limited has been awarded the $24.4 million contract for the second stage of the NSW Government’s Keepit Dam safety upgrade.

WaterNSW has paid tribute to local flood liaison committees and other community members who made an important contribution during the recent flooding in central west and southern NSW.

WaterNSW manages the Menindee Lakes system to supply licensed customers including Essential Water and lower Darling landholders, as well as ensuring water security for the region.

WaterNSW, the Rural Fire Service and the National Parks and Wildlife Service, will conduct a hazard reduction burn in Woronora on Tuesday 25 October 2016.

WaterNSW is revising its dam strategy in key flood zones in light of advice from the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) forecasting a minor rain event early next week.

Today marks the 70^th anniversary of Warragamba being selected as the site for Sydney’s major dam and the 56^th anniversary of the completion of the dam.

WaterNSW has commenced releasing water into Lake Menindee for the first time in three years, as water continues to flow into the Menindee Lakes system.

WaterNSW has today reduced releases from Blowering and Burrinjuck dams in anticipation of more rain this week to avoid contributing to higher downstream flows during the rain event.

With Blowering and Burrinjuck dams at full capacity, WaterNSW is making releases to reduce storage levels in preparation for the next rain event, to capture inflows and minimise downstream flooding impacts.

WaterNSW has reduced dam storage levels in three flood zones so that expected catchment inflows can be captured and flood impacts to downstream communities are reduced.

WaterNSW has managed to minimise flooding downstream of Wyangala Dam over recent months, despite persistent and record rainfall and the limited relative capacity of the dam compared to the large tributaries flowing into the Lachlan River downstream of the dam.

Burrendong Dam has received the highest inflows on record for the month of September.  The dam is currently sitting at 134 percent* of capacity and water continues to flow into the dam at a rate of 18 gigalitres (GL) per day, holding a total of around 1600 GL with just under 100 GL of space available to accommodate further inflows.

WaterNSW will increase security and provide a family-friendly, no alcohol section at its Bendeela Recreation Area in the Kangaroo Valley over the upcoming school holidays and the October long weekend.

The $50 million Chaffey Dam augmentation and safety upgrade project has received industry recognition for excellence, winning the Regional Award at the 2016 Australian Engineering Excellence Awards Newcastle Division ceremony.

Outflows from Burrendong Dam will increase today to a rate of 18,000 megalitres (ML) per day, in a strategy to maintain airspace in Burrendong for future floods.

WaterNSW will increase releases from Burrinjuck Dam to 32,000 megalitres per day (ML/day) as of 11am on Monday 12 September 2016.

WaterNSW has increased releases from Burrinjuck Dam to 25,000 megalitres per day (ML/day) as of 2.30pm on Sunday 11 September 2016.

Wyangala Dam is currently at 97.1% of capacity with inflows of 16,700 megalitres per day (ML/day).

Burrinjuck Dam is currently at 99.8% of capacity with inflows of 22,000 ML/day.

WaterNSW is continuing operations at the following dams in response to rainfall on the south western slopes on Friday. Rainfall levels upstream of the dams were generally less significant than expected.

Wyangala Dam is currently at 96% of capacity and rising, with inflows of 10,000 megalitres per day(ML/day).

Burrinjuck Dam is currently at 97% of capacity and rising, with inflows of 15,000 megalitres per day(ML/day).

WaterNSW is continuing operations at the following dams in response to widespread rainfall on Friday:

With rainfall now clearing, WaterNSW is currently managing operations at the following dams in response to widespread rainfall on Friday:

Wyangala Dam is currently surcharged to 102% of capacity and rising, with inflows of 85,000 megalitres per day(ML/day).

Wyangala Dam is currently surcharged to 102% of capacity and rising, with inflows of 102,000 megalitres per day(ML/day).

With rainfall now clearing, WaterNSW is currently managing operations at the following dams in response to widespread rainfall on Friday:

With rainfall now clearing, WaterNSW is currently managing operations at the following dams in response to widespread rainfall on Friday:

Wyangala Dam is currently at 100% of capacity and rising, with inflows of 102,000 megalitres per day(ML/day).

With rainfall now clearing, WaterNSW is currently managing operations at the following dams in response to widespread rainfall on Friday:

WaterNSW is currently managing operations at the following dams in response to predicted widespread rainfall on Friday:

WaterNSW is currently managing operations at the following dams in response to predicted widespread rainfall on Friday:

WaterNSW is planning to re-open Lake Pamamaroo, remove the Copi Hollow block banks and increase releases into the lower Darling as inflow forecasts into Menindee Lakes approach 300 gigalitres (GL).

WaterNSW continues to manage translucent releases from Burrinjuck Dam ahead of rain forecast for later in the week.

WaterNSW has tripled releases from Wyangala Dam near Cowra, to create capacity in the dam storage in preparation for a significant rain event across the region this week.

This week WaterNSW will be testing the automated system that alerts people to notable changes in Murray River flows in the stretch downstream of Hume Dam to Albury.

WaterNSW’s lower Darling customers will have the opportunity to find out more about current lower Darling River operations this week, when WaterNSW hosts an information session at Pooncarie Town Hall at 11am on Thursday 25 August.

Calling tenders for strategic partner

Water quality has been restored in the Wentworth weir pool after a successful joint enterprise by WaterNSW and Federal and State water authorities