The NSW Government is renewing the Regulation that enables Sydney Water to protect its assets, implement water restrictions during droughts, and ensure compliance with certain rules. Now is the time to have your say.
Sydney Water is the state’s largest water utility, providing essential drinking water, wastewater, recycled water, drainage and stormwater services to more than 5.4 million people across Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the Illawarra.
“Sydney Water is NSW’s largest water utility supporting over 65 per cent of people in the state, from Sydney’s CBD to Katoomba and Kiama,” NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water (NSW DCCCEEW) Executive Director of Operations Resilience, Ashraf El-Sherbini, said.
The Sydney Water Regulation 2017 is due for repeal on 1 September 2025 and needs to be remade so people can continue to benefit from these essential services.
“Renewing the Regulation is critical so Sydney Water can continue delivering world-class water and wastewater services to millions of households, businesses and customers across the region,” he said.
NSW DCCCEEW has proposed minor changes and updates to the Regulation to streamline it, making it fairer, clearer, and more effective. The draft updates include increasing the penalties for breaching water restrictions to align them with similar fines, and extending the period during which Sydney Water can fine or direct a person who carried out defective plumbing works from two to six years.
NSW DCCEEW is also proposing to refresh the structure of the Regulation to more clearly identify the requirements that apply when third parties want to connect new plumbing or drainage to Sydney Water’s systems, as well as the actions that can be taken to address the unauthorised use of assets.
The proposed changes will not have a major impact on residents or businesses, and they do not affect customer water prices, which are set by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART).
The remade Regulation will enable Sydney Water to carry out its key functions under the Sydney Water Act 1994 and align with the Greater Sydney Water Strategy.
NSW DCCEEW is inviting the entire community, including Sydney Water customers, residents, councils, Aboriginal people, and representatives from environmental and industry groups, to submit their views on the proposed changes before 11:59 p.m. on 15 June 2025. People can also attend a webinar from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. on June 5 to learn more.
All feedback will be carefully considered to help inform the final Regulation. If approved, it will commence on or before 1 September 2025.
For more information, to register for the webinar, and to submit your comments, visit the Sydney Water Regulation remake.
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