Log in
North Shore conserve water alert
Urgent repairs are underway to repair a major water main break at the West Ryde Pumping Station. We urge customers across the Upper and Lower North Shore to assist by reducing non-essential water use until repairs are complete. Thank you for your support and patience. Come back to this page for ongoing updates.
This conserve water notice will remain in place until further advice
A major water main break in West Ryde on Thursday 26 March 2026 has reduced water transfers to parts of the North Shore. Critical pumping equipment was damaged, making it harder to supply all local reservoirs. As a result, there is less drinking water available to meet demand. We're asking residents in the Lower and Upper North Shore to reduce water use over the coming days. We're working hard to restore water supply to normal operational levels.
All drinking water is safe to drink, and we'll continually monitor water quality.
Affected suburbs
Artarmon, Cammeray, Castle Cove, Castlecrag, Chatswood, Chatswood West, Cremorne, Crows Nest, East Killara, East Lindfield, East Ryde, Ermington, Gladesville, Gordon, Greenwich, Hunters Hill, Huntleys Point, Killara, Kirribilli, Lane Cove, Lane Cove West, Lindfield, Longueville, Meadowbank, Mosman, Naremburn, Neutral Bay, North Ryde, North Willoughby, Northbridge, Putney, Pymble, Riverview, Roseville, Roseville Chase, Rydalmere, Ryde, St Leonards, Tennyson Point, Waverton, West Pymble, West Ryde, Willoughby, Wollstonecraft, Woolwich.
What you need to do
If you live or work in an affected area, please reduce any non-essential water use until repairs are complete. This includes:
- hosing driveways and other hard surfaces
- watering gardens
- washing cars.
You can also help by taking shorter showers and using the half-flush on your toilet.
FAQs
Why has this conserve water alert been issued?
This conserve water alert is a result of a major water main break within the West Ryde pumping station. The West Ryde pumping station is the main distributor of water to the Upper and Lower North Shore and Northern Beaches.
The decision to issue a conserve water alert was not taken lightly. It was only made to conserve our supply while we carry out critical repairs.
What are you doing to manage the situation?
Our crews are working around the clock to manage the system and maintain supply. We are asking all customers in the affected area to reduce their water usage until further notice to help us maintain water supply to the area.
Is my tap water still safe to drink?
Your drinking water is clean and safe to drink, meeting the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. This alert relates to a water main break affecting supply, not water quality. We rigorously test and monitor the water from our reservoirs and filtration plants, all the way to your tap.
Which suburbs are impacted?
Residents in the Upper and Lower North Shore are being asked to conserve water.
What do I need to do?
We are urging customers in the affected areas to reduce non-essential water use, including hosing driveways and other hard surfaces, watering gardens, and washing cars. Please also practise water wise behaviours such as taking shorter showers and using the half-flush on their toilet.
Why is my suburb different from other Sydney suburbs?
The West Ryde pumping station distributes water to your suburb. The pumping station has limited pumping capability while we carry out critical repairs following a major water main break. Water supply across Sydney is managed through a series of interconnected zones, which means that suburbs where water is supplied through different infrastructure are not affected.
How long will the conserve water alert last?
Sydney Water crews are working around the clock to ensure our networks remain operational. The conserve water alert will remain in place until critical repairs to the damaged water main are completed and the pumping station is safely returned to operation. We'll keep our customers updated as work progresses.
Why hasn't Sydney Water been able to better manage this situation?
A major water main break is an unplanned event. While we actively monitor our network, these incidents can still occur due to factors such as asset age, ground movement or pressure changes. Our crews responded as soon as the issue was identified and are working to urgently complete repairs.
I feel like my water pressure is lower. What should I do?
Some areas may notice lower water pressure while the pumping station supply is impacted. Please continue to reduce non-essential water use as this helps to maintain supply to everyone while we carry out critical repairs.
Will I get a rebate on my bill?
There is no rebate for conserve water alerts.