Stormwater

Project contact
To learn more contact the community relations team
by calling 8849 5511,
by email
or by post to:
PO Box 399
Parramatta NSW 2124

Map of Sydney stormwater
management area.
Click to enlarge.

Who is responsible for managing stormwater?

Sydney Water works closely with local councils and other agencies to manage Sydney’s stormwater.

Stormwater generally flows into small street drains owned by local councils and then into much larger pipes or channels called 'trunk drains'. Sydney Water owns some of these trunk drains, mostly those in the inner-west and inner south-western suburbs of Sydney. They provide drainage services for more than 497,000 properties or 25 per cent of metropolitan Sydney, We also manage flood-prone land and trunk drainage in the Rouse Hill Development Area.

Sydney Water works with councils across the metropolitan area to investigate stormwater treatment and reuse opportunities. Learn more about how we are harvesting stormwater for re-use (PDF - 525KB) from Sydney Water's stormwater system.

Councils are responsible for managing flood risk and preparing flood risk management plans for their local government area. Responsibilities and processes for flood assessment and management are contained in the NSW Government Flood Prone Lands Policy. Sydney Water participates in this process through Floodplain Management Committees.