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Waterwrap
Waterwrap August–October 2025
Find out how baby fatbergs grow into monsters, what higher prices mean to you from 1 October, one customer's experience of WaterFix Residential, a bit of Tank Stream history, and getting help to pay your water bill.
Are you feeding a baby fatberg?
Not cute. Fatbergs grow into monsters.
They start small. Then they become giant, smelly, disgusting masses of kitchen waste and unflushable items. They block wastewater pipes and cause toxic overflows.
What happens beyond the plughole
Wastewater blockages aren't just caused by things like non-flushable wet wipes, paper towels and hair finding their way into toilets. Kitchen sinks are the perfect incubator for baby fatbergs.
- Waste food from rinsing plates builds up in pipes.
- Pasta, rice and grains absorb liquids and expand.
- Fats, cooking oils and grease harden, lining pipes and gluing other waste together.
- Flour and coffee grounds go down easy, but clump and congeal.
- Unwanted milk and other dairy products contain fat.
SOS: Save Our Sinks campaign
Watch the video and meet the singing sink, that makes you stop and think … only water, detergent and soap down the sink. Then find out what you can do to Save Our Sinks (one sink at a time).
The cost to you and the environment
Untreated wastewater from blockages pollutes the environment, rivers and beaches, and harms aquatic life. Every year, we clear around 20,000 blockages. That's a $27 million cost we can all do without.
If a wastewater blockage is in pipes on your property, it's more than just toxic for you and your family. It's your responsibility, so you'll have to pay to fix it.
You don't need that!
Find ways to avoid feeding fatbergs at wastewater blockages.
The reason for price rises
On 1 October, water charges are going up. In September, you'll be able to see how your bill is affected. We want you to know you're making a direct contribution to services that matter to you.
Now, more than ever, it's critical to make a greater investment in the city's water network, the city's growth, housing, and water quality and reliability.
Where has WaterFix Residential been all my life?
For Andreas Proestos, our signature water-saving program had never even crossed his radar.
Andreas didn't know we’d been here for him all along to help him save water and money. Then he saw our flyer. He made the call to WaterFix Residential, and everything changed.
'They sent someone to fix my leaks for a tenth of the price. It's a great initiative for people doing it tough,' Andreas said. 'The guys that showed up were so professional and they fixed my leaks, replaced taps and adjusted my water pressure.'
Andreas studying the benefits of WaterFix Residential
How much you can save
For a callout fee of just $44 ($16.50 for pensioners), we fix minor leaks at no extra cost and suggest other ways to save with water-efficient taps, showerheads and toilets.
For example, a WELS 4-star rated showerhead can cut water use by up to 50%. (We can provide and install one of those at no extra cost, too.)
So be like Andreas. Book a WaterFix Residential plumber.
Quarterly water quality report summary
Our water quality monitoring program confirmed that Greater Sydney's drinking water remains high quality and safe from April to June 2025, meeting the high standards set by the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.
You can find the detailed quarterly water quality report for your area at Water analysis under 'Water quality report'.
The heritage-listed Tank Stream culvert
The Tank Stream: history lives on
It may be hidden these days, but Sydney's iconic Tank Stream is a big priority.
When the First Fleet arrived in 1788, the stream had been a source of freshwater to the Gadigal people for over 5,000 years. Captain Arthur Phillip selected his landing site as it had '… the finest spring of water'. Sydney was born.
Now heritage-listed, the stone Tank Stream culvert was a drain built in 1858 to carry stormwater and reduce risk of flooding in the city. It still does this important job.
Since December 2024, we've been restoring a section under First Fleet Park at Circular Quay. Work should be complete in September. This is one of dozens of vital projects to build infrastructure, update systems, reduce pollution and make us more resilient.
Find out how our projects in your area may affect you.
Need help paying your water bill?
We're here to support you.
Contact us confidentially if you're struggling to keep up with bills. We can help take the pressure off with payment plans, free essential plumbing and even hardship support.
Call 1800 222 280 8am–5:30pm Monday to Friday (except public holidays).