How we keep water clean

We drink and use water every day so it's important it is clean and safe to use. When water is not treated and managed properly, it can contain bacteria or pollutants that can damage our health.

Find out more about how drinking water quality is monitored.

Sydney Water and the Sydney Catchment Authority use a multi-barrier approach to protect water quality. This involves managing and checking water quality at different stages in the water supply system to make sure it is safe to drink.

Find out more about how water quality is protected using this approach.

Every three months Sydney Water sends a water quality report to NSW Health. A summary of test results is also shown in Sydney Water's Annual Report on Drinking Water Quality.

Find out more about water quality reports.

Several issues can affect water quality and need to be managed by Sydney Water and other organisations to make sure our water quality is of a high standard.

Find out more about common water quality problems.

Get involved - how you can protect and monitor water quality

Protecting water quality is everyone's responsibility. You can help protect water quality in catchments by putting rubbish in bins or planting vegetation to help filter water.

Learn how to monitor water quality by joining a program like Streamwatch. This program coordinates groups involved in water monitoring activities across Sydney.

You can also help protect water quality in the sewerage system by doing simple actions like using a sink strainer or washing paint brushes in a bucket and pouring the water on gardens.

Find out more about how you can help local waterways and catchments.