Armidale Regional Council says securing safe, reliable and sustainable water supplies is central to the region’s future.
Council has outlined the infrastructure, expertise, governance and planning behind local water delivery, while also confirming regional work to improve long-term water security.
The Council said the 2019 drought showed water supplies across the New England remain vulnerable during long dry periods.
That experience is now shaping planning for dams, pipelines, treatment capacity and regional cooperation.
It has also become more urgent because of the New England Renewable Energy Zone, where construction water demand is expected to exceed current supplies across Armidale, Uralla and Walcha at peak times.
Why does water security matter for Armidale?
Council described water as the region’s most valuable commodity.
Safe and secure water supports households, businesses, public health, drought resilience and future development.
It also underpins whether the region can fully benefit from new economic activity associated with renewable energy construction.
An EnergyCo study released in December 2025 found that peak construction demand associated with the New England Renewable Energy Zone would be much higher than current supplies can meet across Armidale, Uralla and Walcha.
Council said renewable energy projects bring major economic benefits, but also need large volumes of water during construction.
It said those projects cannot proceed while Armidale remains in the highest water risk category.
For the region, that means water security is not only an environmental or operational issue.
It is also a precondition for investment, jobs and growth.
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What sits behind the tap?
Council said delivering safe drinking water is more complex than turning on a tap.
The system begins with catchments that store raw water.
Pipelines then deliver that raw water to treatment plants equipped with technology designed to meet the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.
After treatment, water is transferred to reservoirs with support from pumping stations.
It is then distributed through gravity-fed mains and pipelines to homes and businesses.
Throughout the process, continuous monitoring protects water quality and supply reliability.
Council said maintaining this system requires regular upgrades, proactive maintenance and careful planning to meet rising demand and environmental standards.
Who keeps the system working?
Water security also depends on people.
Council said engineers and operators oversee treatment processes, testing and compliance checks.
Field crews maintain pipelines and respond to emergencies.
Customer service teams support residents and businesses.
Together, those roles help keep water safe, accessible and dependable.
Council said governance is also critical because water delivery must meet strict health, environmental and regulatory requirements.
That includes compliance with the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines and relevant state and federal regulations.
Best-practice frameworks from NSW Health and the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water guide local water safety and environmental sustainability.
What projects are being planned?
Council has worked on long-term water solutions since 2018.
In 2022, it approved a two-stage plan to improve water security.
The first stage includes restoring Oaky River Dam and building a pipeline to the Armidale Water Treatment Plant.
The second stage includes raising Malpas Dam and upgrading the pipeline.
Council said these projects now have detailed designs.
That places Armidale in a stronger position than other parts of the region in seeking long-term supply solutions.
The projects are intended to increase resilience, support secure supplies and help the region manage future dry periods.
Why is regional cooperation needed?
Council said Uralla and Walcha face similar water security challenges.
At peak times, water demand for New England Renewable Energy Zone construction is expected to be more than four times the current supply across the three Council areas.
Council said no single council can manage that challenge alone.
In response, Armidale Regional Council has established a Regional Water Security Working Group with Uralla and Walcha councils.
The group will look at shared solutions, coordinate planning, and work together to seek support and funding from State and Federal governments.
Council said the work will use existing budgets and does not commit it to new spending at this stage.
How does sustainability fit in?
Council’s water security approach links supply reliability with sustainability, affordability and environmental protection.
It said water delivery involves substantial investment in infrastructure construction, upgrades, treatment, energy use, maintenance, testing and reporting.
Those costs must be managed carefully to keep water affordable while maintaining safety and quality.
Council said its role as a local water utility is to provide safe, secure, sustainable and affordable water and sewerage services.
That includes protecting healthy, resilient communities, businesses, and the environment now and into the future.
Taking a regional approach now is intended to reduce risk, control costs, and identify stronger long-term solutions.
It also supports a more sustainable pathway for economic development by recognising that water availability must be planned before major construction demand arrives.
Council said investing in assets, people, governance, and guidance remains central to delivering water safely and sustainably.
“Water is life. By investing in assets, people, governance, and guidance, we ensure every drop is delivered safely and sustainably, today and for generations to come,” Council said.
