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Local Water Utilities

There are 106 local water utilities in NSW. Local water utilities are responsible for providing water supply and sewerage services to NSW non-metropolitan urban communities.

The NSW Government provides assistance to local water utilities for the provision of water and sewerage infrastructure through the Country Towns Water Supply and Sewerage Program via funding and the Integrated Water Cycle Management process via advice and expertise.

The NSW Government, through an independent Inquiry, is currently seeking to examine the institutional and regulatory arrangements by which town water supply and sewerage services are provided in country NSW.

Quick facts about Local Water Utilities

  • There are 106 in New South Wales
  • Population served – 1.8 million (97.7% coverage)
  • Total assets (water supply & sewerage) – $17 billion. Current replacement cost
  • Revenue – $880 million
  • Number of water supply schemes – 340
  • Number of sewerage schemes – 280
  • Total water consumption – 335,000 ML
  • Average annual residential water supplied – 185kL/connected property

Local Water Utilities

The following utilities are exercising water supply functions under the Water Management Act 2000:

  • Cobar Water Board
  • Country Energy
  • Fish River Water Supply
  • Gosford City Council
  • Wyong Shire Council

 The following Local Government Councils are exercising water supply functions under Division 2 Part 3 Chapter 6 Local Government Act 1993:

Local councils exercising water supply functions under
Division 2 Part 3 Chapter 6 Local Government Act 1993
Albury City Council Glen Innes Municipal Council Palerang Council
Armidale Dumaresq Council Gloucester Shire Council Parkes Shire Council
Ballina Shire Council Goldenfields Water County Council Port Macquarie-Hastings Council
Balranald Shire Council Goulburn Mulwaree Council Queanbeyan City Council
Bathurst Regional City Council Greater Hume Shire Council Richmond Valley Council
Bega Valley Shire Council Griffith City Council Riverina Water County Council
Bellingen Shire Council Gundagai Shire Council Rous County Council
Berrigan Shire Council Gunnedah Shire Council Shoalhaven City Council
Bland Shire Council Guyra Shire Council Singleton Shire Council
Blayney Shire Council Gwydir Shire Council Snowy River Shire Council
Bogan Shire Council Harden Shire Council Tamworth Regional Council
Bombala Council Hay Shire Council Temora Shire Council
Boorowa Council Inverell Shire Council Tenterfield Shire Council
Bourke Shire Council Jerilderie Shire Council The Council Of The Shire Of Wakool
Brewarrina Shire Council Junee Shire Council Tumbarumba Shire Council
Byron Shire Council Kempsey Shire Council Tumut Council
Cabonne Shire Council Kyogle Council Tweed Shire Council
Carrathool Shire Council Lachlan Shire Council Upper Hunter Shire Council
Central Darling Shire Council Leeton Shire Council Upper Lachlan Council
Central Tablelands County Council Lismore City Council Uralla Shire Council
Clarence Valley Council Lithgow City Council Urana Shire Council
Cobar Shire Council Liverpool Plains Shire Council Wagga Wagga City Council
Coffs Harbour City Council Lockhart Shire Council Walcha Council
Coolamon Shire Council Mid-Western Regional Council Walgett Shire Council
Cooma – Monaro Shire Council Mid Coast County Council Warren Shire Council
Coonamble Shire Council Murray Shire Council Warrumbungle Shire Council
Cootamundra Shire Council Murrumbidgee Shire Council Weddin Shire Council
Corowa Shire Council Muswellbrook Shire Council Wellington Council
Cowra Shire Council Nambucca Shire Council Wentworth Shire Council
Deniliquin Council Narrabri Shire Council Wingecarribee Shire Council
Dubbo City Council Narrandera Shire Council Yass Valley Council
Eurobodalla Shire Council Narromine Shire Council Young Shire Council
Forbes Shire Council Oberon Council  
Gilgandra Shire Council Orange City Council  

Major Water Utilities

The following utilities are exercising water supply functions under the Water Management Act 2000:

  • Delta Electricity
  • Eraring Energy
  • Hunter Water Corporation Limited
  • Macquarie Generation
  • State Water Corporation
  • Sydney Catchment Authority
  • Sydney Water Corporation

These utilities hold corporate licences issued by the Department of Water and Energy.

Water Supply Authorities

The Water Management Act 2000 also defines the following as water supply authorities:

  • Benerembah Irrigation District Environment Protection Trust
  • Upper Parramatta River Catchment Trust
  • Sydney Olympic Park Authority