$10 million for water quality and dam safety

The NSW Government is providing a major funding boost of up to $10 million to WaterNSW to help regional towns improve dam safety and water quality.

We are leveraging the expertise of WaterNSW to accelerate the response to Dams Safety NSW audit findings and ramp up efforts to tackle water quality risks in regional and remote areas.

WaterNSW is a national leader in the sector, owning the majority of large dams and delivering two-thirds of all raw water across NSW, which is why it is best placed to help local water utilities fast track improvements to water quality and dam safety.

The funding will allow WaterNSW to provide local water utilities with extra support dam safety and risk assessments and monitoring raw water to identify changes in quality so Councils can adjust treatment processes or switch to alternative supplies before it’s too late.

The $10 million is part of Phase 2 of the Town Water Risk Reduction Program that provides vital support to local water utilities in regional and remote areas to help improve water security, safety, reliability and quality.

Minister for Water Rose Jackson said:

“Water NSW experts are at the coalface of water management. They understand the challenges like the impacts on quality in times of floods and drought better than anyone, so I can’t wait to see them sharing their wealth of expertise and knowledge with local water utilities.

“When I took over this portfolio, I made it very clear that my priority from the get-go was doing everything within my power to improve water quality and security for regional NSW and I am delivering on that promise.

WaterNSW Executive Manager Strategy and Performance Fiona Smith said:  

“One of the big lessons learned from the most recent drought is the water sector must collaborate more closely to build expertise and provide better access to niche skills outside the normal local government function.

“This program is a whole-of-government response that brings the strengths of the major entities in the water sector to local councils, who can choose to engage with the skills and knowledge that will best assist them.”