Local water utilities

Local water utilities are responsible for delivering safe, secure, efficient, sustainable, and affordable water supply and sewerage services to 1.85 million people in regional NSW. They protect public health and the environment and support economic development and liveability.

Local water utilities in regional NSW include:

• utilities exercising water supply and sewerage functions under the NSW Water Management Act 2000
• local government councils exercising water supply and sewerage functions under Division 2 Part 3 Chapter 6 of the NSW Local Government Act 1993.

The role of local water utilities is to deliver safe, secure, efficient, and affordable water and sewerage services to customers and communities, providing public health outcomes, and supporting economic development, liveability, and the environment.

Local water utilities are governed in NSW by the Local Government Act 1993 and the Water Management Act 2000, as well as the:

• Public Health Act 2010
• Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997
• Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979
• Dams Safety Act 2015
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Water Act 2007 (Cth),

and any other relevant and applicable legislative and regulatory instruments.

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

• Central Coast Council
• Cobar Water Board
• Essential Energy
• WaterNSW for the Fish River Water Supply.

Provisions in the regulation relating to Essential Energy’s area of operations refer to maps published on the department’s website. These maps are:

• Stephens Creek, Umberumberka Creek and Yancowinna Creek Special Areas
• Restricted portion of Stephens Creek Special Area relating to Stephens Creek Reservoir
• Restricted portion of Stephens Creek Special Area relating to Imperial Lake
• Restricted portion of Umberumberka Creek Special Area relating to Umberumberka Reservoir

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