Newsroom

Recent storms and rain events across the Central West have generated small but welcome inflows into the region’s two major supply dams, with inflows continuing.

Precautionary measures enacted in the wake of unprecedented bushfire damage and the largest rainfall event since 1990 have been successful in protecting Sydney’s dam water quality, WaterNSW CEO David Harris confirmed today.

WaterNSW is advising that a NSW Government temporary pump restriction to preserve flows in the northern river valleys will be extended to 28 February.

A team of water quality experts from WaterNSW is working to maintain water quality in Sydney’s largest catchment after welcome rain washed significant amounts of ash and debris into Warragamba Dam.

A summary of recent rainfall and flows in the northern NSW Murray–Darling Basin and the rationale for temporary restrictions on access. Please read NSW DPIE announcement (PDF).

Please read NSW DPIE Announcement (PDF)

WaterNSW is announcing the NSW Government’s temporary irrigation restriction made for the Bega and Brogo Regulated Rivers has been repealed.

WaterNSW is announcing the NSW Government’s temporary restriction on floodplain harvesting across the northern basin to preserve any flows in the northern river system for towns, stock and domestic supply and the environment has been amended.

Sydney’s dam storages continue to receive inflows from the recent rain event, with Warragamba storage reaching 69% this morning (Tuesday, 11 February), up more than 8 percentage points in 24 hours and continuing to rise.

Please see information for Namoi, Gwydir and Northern NSW Murray Darling Basin

A number of section 324 orders are currently in place, including  an order restricting floodplain harvesting in the Northern Basin. The orders and reasons for decision are available from the Department's website on temporary water restrictions.

Please see information for Namoi, Gwydir and Northern NSW Murray Darling Basin

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:

Sydney’s dam storages are set to receive their best inflows in nearly three years as heavy rainfall across the catchment is forecast to continue throughout the day.

WaterNSW is closely monitoring the impact of an ongoing rain event over Greater Sydney’s dam catchment, including run-off from firegrounds around Warragamba Dam.

WaterNSW is announcing the NSW Government’s temporary restriction on floodplain harvesting across the northern basin to preserve any flows in the northern river system for towns, stock and domestic supply and the environment.

WaterNSW is announcing a NSW Government temporary rule amendment to allow the trade of stock allocation water to assist landholders affected by drought.

WaterNSW is advising that a NSW Government temporary pump restriction to preserve flows in the northern river valleys will be extended to 17 February.

WaterNSW is announcing that a NSW Government temporary pump restriction to preserve flows in the northern river valleys is being lifted immediately for high security licence holders in the Peel valley, and for unregulated access in the Mooki River and Quirindi Creek.

WaterNSW is announcing that a NSW Government temporary pump restriction to preserve flows in the northern river valleys for towns and stock and domestic supply has been lifted for unregulated users upstream of Bathurst.

WaterNSW is monitoring the results of the rain event taking place across many areas of the Greater Sydney drinking water catchment and large areas of regional NSW.

WaterNSW is announcing a NSW Government temporary pump restriction to preserve flows in the northern river valleys for towns and stock and domestic supply.

WaterNSW is monitoring the results of the rain event taking place across many areas of the Greater Sydney drinking water catchment and large areas of regional NSW.

With rain forecast across much of NSW in coming days, WaterNSW has expanded its preparations to limit potential impacts on the water quality in dam storages.

WaterNSW is advising customers supplied from Brogo Dam that general security irrigation availability will cease as of 6am Saturday 11 January 2020 as a result of temporary rule changes announced today.

WaterNSW will meet with stakeholders in the Cudgegong valley next week to keep them abreast of plans to transfer water from Windamere to Burrendong dam to secure vital supply in the Macquarie valley.

WaterNSW is advising the public that Brogo Dam near Bega, and Blowering Dam near Tumut are temporarily closed due to ongoing bushfire risk, until further notice.

WaterNSW has re-assessed the closure status of multiple recreational areas in the Greater Sydney, Shoalhaven and Illawarra areas and determined that they will remain closed until further notice in the interests of the safety of the public and our employees.

WaterNSW advises that multiple recreational areas in the Greater Sydney, Shoalhaven and Illawarra areas, including Bendeela, will remain closed until further notice in the interests of safety. WaterNSW will re-assess the closure status on Wednesday 1 January as to whether sites will be reopened from Thursday 2 January.

WaterNSW will be delivering up to 80 megalitres (ML) of water to Tamworth Regional Council via the Peel River downstream of the temporary weir (block bank) at Dungowan.

WaterNSW is advising that the NSW Government has implemented a temporary pump restriction on unregulated river and alluvial access licences in the Hastings unregulated and alluvial water sources, to secure town supply for Port Macquarie.

WaterNSW is announcing that an existing NSW Government temporary pump restriction to preserve flows in the Intersecting streams and Barwon-Darling river systems for towns and stock and domestic supply, will be extended to 5 January 2020.

The NSW Government has implemented a temporary pump restriction on low flows in the Dingo Creek to assist with conserving water for town supply and other critical needs.

WaterNSW is advising the public that Bendeela Recreational Area and Tallowa Dam will be temporarily closed due to ongoing bushfires and extreme fire danger ratings forecast from Thursday 19 December.

As the fire risk around Warragamba Dam eases, WaterNSW is now concentrating its efforts on ensuring that ash and debris in raw water supply is minimised.

WaterNSW is meeting with customers and other water users on the state’s far north and far south coasts as drought conditions put growing pressure on local dam storages.

The NSW Government has implemented water restrictions in the Upper Namoi valley to conserve water remaining in Split Rock Dam for essential town supply and critical needs.

The NSW Government has suspended clauses within the Peel Valley Water Sharing Plan as part of drought measures taking place in the region, WaterNSW announced today.

Fires burning in Sydney’s catchment do not pose a risk to water quality in WaterNSW dam storages at this time.

By not incorporating important information made available by WaterNSW, last night's ABC report failed to portray the safeguards and expertise that protect Sydney's drinking water quality at its source.

WaterNSW is advising the public that the crest roadway over Hume Dam will re-open to public access on 25 November following the successful completion of the first phase of maintenance work.

WaterNSW is advising the public that the boat ramp used to access the dam storage for leisure craft will be closed until further notice, citing safety concerns.

Approximately 60 Lake Cargelligo community members have attended a WaterNSW information session on future contingency measures should drought conditions persist in the Lachlan valley.

WaterNSW will implement a NSW Government temporary pump restriction to preserve flows currently occurring in the Barwon-Darling river system, for towns and stock and domestic supply only.

WaterNSW will implement NSW Government rule changes to allow for the trade – but not use – of carryover water currently quarantined under drought measures announced on 1 July.

WaterNSW will implement NSW Government temporary pump restrictions from tomorrow (1 November) to restrict access for unregulated licence holders located between Bathurst and major upstream dams to 20% of their entitlement.

The comparatively large volume of water in Wyangala dam offers WaterNSW a range of drought contingency measures to extend dam water supply to Lachlan valley communities.

The NSW government has issued a temporary restriction on groundwater usage in the Maules Creek Groundwater Water Source upstream of Elfin Crossing.

WaterNSW is ramping up its temporary and permanent drought and water security works to extend water supplies to Tamworth and Dungowan.

Water users are advised that the NSW Government has enforced a section 324 temporary restriction on carryover water access for general security users on the Belubula River.

The back area of Bendeela Recreation Area will be open for the October school holidays, including what is expected to be a bumper long weekend.

WaterNSW, the state’s bulk water supplier and system operator, is restoring Stevens Weir in the Murray Valley.

WaterNSW has advised affected landholders that Peel River flows downstream of the Dungowan temporary weir will cease no earlier than 30 November if drought conditions persist.

WaterNSW projects to extend the availability of water from Burrendong Dam to communities in the Macquarie valley are well advanced.

A red alert level warning (high alert) for potentially toxic blue-green algae has been issued for Lake Wetherell, upstream from Menindee.

The previously issued high level algal warning (Red Alert) has been lifted at Burrendong Dam, located 30 kilometres south-east of Wellington in the Central West region.

Following changes to the operating rules for the Shoalhaven transfer scheme, an additional 14.5GL is now available for the Greater Sydney system.

WaterNSW will meet with locals at Wilcannia next week as part of the key community engagement process before construction begins on the new Wilcannia Weir.

Exploratory bore drilling commenced this week in the latest phase of drought emergency works being undertaken by WaterNSW and Tamworth Regional Council to extend the city’s surface water supply from Chaffey Dam.

WaterNSW, the state’s bulk water supplier and river operator, will begin scheduled maintenance at Hume Dam on 26 August, preventing public access to the crest roadway until completion of the project.

WaterNSW and Tamworth Regional Council will host community information sessions for landholders, industry, irrigators and other water users affected by drought response measures.

WaterNSW and Tamworth Regional Council will host community information sessions next month for landholders, industry, irrigators and other water users potentially affected by drought response measures.

The Red Alert at Copeton Dam has now been lifted following consecutive results below red alert levels across all lake sites.

The high-level algal warning (Red Alert) at Wilcannia has been lifted.

WaterNSW is encouraging customers in drought-affected northern valleys to enrol for automated notifications as WaterNSW repeats its advice that recent water allocation announcement do not necessarily guarantee water.

The 2018-19 water year ends on 30 June and WaterNSW customers are being advised that remaining water in accounts at that time will be subject to the carryover rules applicable to the relevant licence.

WaterNSW has begun investigations into a range of measures to address the impacts of drought in the Macquarie Valley and secure water supply for critical needs.

The Red Alert at Copeton Dam has now been lifted following consecutive results below red alert levels.

Water users are advised that the NSW Government has lifted a temporary pumping restriction for the Lower Namoi and Lower Macquarie valleys, effective immediately.

Water users are advised that the NSW Government will extend the temporary pump restriction for the Barwon-Darling River system following significant rainfall across north-western NSW over the past month.

WaterNSW, the state’s bulk water supplier and river operator, is performing key maintenance and restoration work on weirs in the Murrumbidgee and Murray Valleys.

Two Murrumbidgee valley water trading periods will close on 30 April and 31 May, respectively, and customers are being reminded to utilise their carryover water to avoid the risk of losing it.

March rainfall across the Warrego catchment in Queensland has made its way to NSW.

Water users are advised that the NSW Government will implement a section 324 temporary pump restriction for the Barwon-Darling River system to protect environmental flows from Wednesday (17 April).

Water users are being urged to ensure their details are accurately registered with WaterNSW in the lead up to environmental releases in the Gwydir in coming days and in the Border Rivers thereafter.

A new online tool being trialled in the Murrumbidgee valley by WaterNSW that combines the latest on river flows, dam storages, water availability and weather outlook will streamline water management decisions.

The popular back area of Bendeela Recreation Area will be open for the April school holidays, including the Easter weekend and Anzac Day.

Significant rainfall in the Castlereagh and Namoi rivers catchments in the early hours of Saturday morning has created river flows that are subject to temporary restrictions implemented by the NSW Government to protect this water for high priority needs.

WaterNSW is advising water users that the nomination process for the second term of office for its area-based Customer Advisory Groups is drawing to a close.

The public is being advised to avoid making contact with water discoloured by a marine algal bloom being reported in the Sydney region.

WaterNSW welcomes the NSW Government’s commitment to progress investigations into the raising of the Wyangala Dam wall and looks forward to getting started on this vital piece of work.

WaterNSW is calling for nominations for membership of its Customer Advisory Groups across rural and metro NSW.

WaterNSW has stopped the bulk water transfer from Windamere Dam to Burrendong Dam one  month ahead of schedule after two rain events produced good inflows into Burrendong.

Releases into the upper stretches of the Lower Darling can be extended to meet a crucial deadline for local producers, WaterNSW confirmed today.

Northern NSW river systems which feed the Barwon-Darling system and then Menindee lakes, can expect an average of approximately 4000 gigalitres (GL) of annual inflows according to long term data.

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 staff have successfully rescued thousands of native fish trapped at Burrendong Dam and released them into the Macquarie River after months of preparation in a joint operation with fisheries experts from the Department of Primary Industries (DPI).

WaterNSW will host customer information sessions regarding dam and river operations in the Macquarie-Cudgegong valley in mid-January as Burrendong Dam storage falls below 13% of capacity.

A fall in the water level of Lake Cargelligo due to increasing downstream demand, will be quickly restored by water currently being released from Wyangala Dam on the Lachlan River, WaterNSW confirmed today.

A Red Alert level warning (high alert) for blue-green algae has been issued for the Darling River at Louth and Trevallyn, located in the Far West region.

As record drought grips the Macquarie valley, WaterNSW is advising that Burrendong Dam storage will fall below 10% this summer without significant inflows.

WaterNSW is advising that the NSW Government has today lifted the temporary water restriction (S324 Order) in the Namoi valley.

WaterNSW is opening the popular alcohol-free back area of Bendeela Recreation Area for the summer holidays.

Monitoring by Snowy Valleys Council has detected high levels of blue-green algae and a red level warning (high alert) has been issued for Mannus Lake and downstream in Mannus Creek, near Tumbarumba.

The NSW Government today announced the NSW Pumped Hydro Roadmap, a landmark WaterNSW initiative to harness dam storages to produce clean, hydro-electricity.

WaterNSW will revise its forecast flow peaks in line with community feedback after meeting with customers and other stakeholders in Mudgee recently.

The severe drought conditions across NSW has resulted in government requesting WaterNSW to implement restrictions on water accounts for our Lower Darling customers.

Sydney’s dam storage total could rise by up to 1.5% as a result of yesterday’s significant rain event.

WaterNSW has advised Mid-Western Regional Council and a key stakeholder group that the bulk water transfer between Windamere and Burrendong Dams scheduled for January 2019 will take place in two distinct stages.

WaterNSW will meet with Namoi valley customers and key stakeholders next week to discuss dam operations in the valley as dam storages continue to drop.

WaterNSW has today welcomed guilty pleas from a prominent Barwon-Darling irrigator in relation to three charges of breaching NSW water management rules brought in the Land and Environment Court.

WaterNSW has moved the timing of a proposed transfer of water from Windamere Dam to Burrendong Dam, via the Cudgegong River, from November to January 2019.

WaterNSW is implementing further drought measures to save water for critical needs in the Namoi valley as the drought’s impact intensifies across the region.

WaterNSW, the state’s bulk water supplier and river operator, is continuing to upgrade vital infrastructure surrounding its weirs along the Murrumbidgee River.

A red level warning (high alert) for blue-green algae has been issued for the Lower Darling River at Burtundy and upstream approx. 20 km to include the Jamesville block bank pool, WaterNSW announced today.

WaterNSW is taking steps to actively manage Namoi valley water resources as they hit critical levels.

WaterNSW, the state’s bulk water supplier and system operator, is building on its reputation for identifying and delivering water infrastructure solutions across regional NSW.

WaterNSW is undertaking routine work on Fitzroy Falls Reservoir as part of a broader portfolio assessment on all dams in the Greater Sydney area of operations.

WaterNSW, the state’s bulk water supplier and system operator, will begin a bulk water transfer from Split Rock Dam to Keepit Dam from 20 October through to early December 2018.

WaterNSW will assess potentially constructing a new mid-Macquarie storage as part of wider investigations into improving water resource management in the Macquarie Valley.

Much-needed rainfall in areas of the Sydney catchment and regional NSW will increase the likelihood of future inflows but have little immediate impact on WaterNSW dam storage levels.

WaterNSW has commenced transferring water from Lake Pamamaroo to Copi Hollow, while block banks constructed on the Lower Darling extend essential water supplies to landholders.

Woronora Dam will be closed to the public on week days until the end of the year as part of the Metropolitan Dams Electrical Upgrade Project.

WaterNSW has reached agreement with Murray Irrigation Limited (MIL) to use its infrastructure to transfer water more efficiently along the River Murray.

The extreme drought conditions across NSW have resulted in WaterNSW implementing restrictions on water accounts for many Macquarie Valley customers.

Tomorrow (Thursday, 6 September) WaterNSW will commence pumping water from Lake Yarrunga.

Allegations of illegality involving dams and channels approved by WaterNSW in the Barwon-Darling are unfounded.

Greater Sydney’s water supply is large and secure, holding enough water to meet demand for at least two years, even in the highly unlikely event of zero inflows.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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 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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson has today announced that Keepit Dam’s $2.2 million electrical relocation project will be in the spotlight as a finalist in the 2015 National Electrical and Contracting Association (NECA) NSW Excellence Awards.

Construction on the $2.2 million preliminary electrical works ahead of stage two of the Keepit Dam safety upgrade has reached the half-way mark, State Water Corporation announced today.