Healthy waterways

The Hawkesbury-Nepean catchment is one of the largest in NSW. It covers almost half of Sydney Water's operating area. It stretches from the Southern Highlands and Blue Mountains to Broken Bay on the Central Coast.

The river system supplies drinking water to most of Sydney. It also supports farming, recreation, natural areas, homes and industry.

We work with councils, government agencies and other partners to protect the river system.

Our work includes:

• delivering Australia's largest stormwater harvesting scheme across the Western Sydney Aerotropolis to protect sensitive waterways and support cool, green communities
• bringing organisations together through the Hawkesbury-Nepean Waterways Partnership to collaborate and coordinate work across the catchment
• reducing nutrients in the river system in accordance with the NSW Environment Protection Authority's Hawkesbury‑Nepean Nutrient Management Framework and upgrading our water resource recovery facilities
• managing vast areas of natural drainage areas across Rouse Hill, including waterways and wetlands
• using environmental DNA expertise from our laboratory services to support platypus conservation.

The Parramatta River flows through some of Sydney's most urbanised and fastest-growing areas. It flows from Blacktown through Parramatta and into Sydney Harbour.

The river supports local plants and animals and provides places for recreation, including swimming.

We work with councils, government agencies and community groups to improve the river. 

Our work includes:

• partnering with the Parramatta River Catchment Group to improve the river's health and create more places to swim
• monitoring and reporting water quality at new swimming sites through our RiverWatch program
• improving the Malabar and North Head wastewater systems to reduce overflows
• removing litter and silt from waterways where we are responsible
• managing naturalised sections of Powells Creek to provide spaces for the community and native wildlife
• managing the Milson Park wetland to treat stormwater and provide a valuable community space.

The Georges River catchment is one of Sydney's largest urban catchments. It covers much of southern and south‑western Sydney, including Campbelltown and Liverpool, and flows into Botany Bay.

The catchment includes important natural areas and fast-growing communities. People enjoy it for boating, kayaking and bushwalking.

We are improving our infrastructure and working with partners to protect the river as local communities grow.

Our work includes:

• partnering with Georges Riverkeeper to improve the river's health
• improving the Malabar and Cronulla wastewater systems to reduce overflows
• enhancing environmental performance at our Liverpool, Glenfield and Fairfield water resource recovery facilities
• managing the Parkside Drive bioretention system to treat stormwater and provide green space for the community
• working with partners and Aboriginal organisations to support koala conservation
• conducting environmental DNA surveys through our laboratory services to support platypus conservation
• removing litter and silt from waterways where we are responsible.

The Cooks River catchment covers Sydney's inner‑west and south‑west, and flows into Botany Bay. People enjoy the river for paddling, walking and cycling, and as a place to socialise.

We work with councils, government agencies and communities to improve the waterway for future generations.

Our work includes:

• working with the Cooks River Alliance to improve the river’s health
• improving the Malabar wastewater network to reduce overflows
• managing more than 2 kilometres of naturalised stormwater channel to provide high-quality spaces for the community and native wildlife
• removing litter and silt from waterways where we are responsible
• managing the Eve Street and Yana Badu wetlands to treat stormwater and protect sensitive habitat.

Sydney Harbour is one of Australia's most iconic waterways. It connects the Parramatta River to the Pacific Ocean, and includes Circular Quay and waters near Manly.

The harbour supports wildlife and provides places for swimming and boating. It is also a major tourist destination.

We are improving our systems and working with partners to protect the harbour and its connected waterways.

Our work includes:

• partnering with the Sydney Coastal Councils Group to improve the health of the harbour and coastal areas
• improving the Bondi, North Head and Malabar wastewater networks to reduce overflows
• managing naturalised sections of Johnstons Creek to provide space for the community and native wildlife
• removing litter and silt from waterways where we are responsible.