More water sources for a resilient supply
Rainwater, sourced from either rivers or groundwater, is the main source for water supplied to cities and towns.
A range of safe supply options may be available across surface water and groundwater, recycling and desalination to make our water supplies more reliable and resilient.
Diversification of water sources
Learn about alternative water sources
There are several water sources available to us. Some rely on rainfall, others less so.
| Most rainfall dependent | Least rainfall dependent |
|---|---|
| Surface water in rivers and dams | Recycled wastewater |
| Stormwater harvesting (includes rainwater tanks) | Desalinated seawater |
| Groundwater | Brackish water |
All water can be treated to make it safe for the purposes we use it for. See our fact sheets about each water source and water treatment. We have technology that ensures suitable water quality for the ways we use water. Re-use and alternative sources are technically feasible and have been implemented in different locations around the world.
Water efficiency can help make the water we have in our sources go further. For more information see the NSW Water Efficiency Program. If we use water wisely and include less rainfall dependent water sources in a diverse water supply mix, we will be more resilient to drought and other extreme climatic and weather events.
Water utilities’ role in planning water source mix
Water utilities are responsible for supplying water to our towns and cities. They need to identify, assess and plan for additional and/or alternative water sources to keep our supply flowing and our towns and cities liveable. No single or group of water sources is right for all towns and cities across NSW.
Each community is different, so the local solution will be unique to that community. When developing solutions that ensure water security and resilience for their towns, cities and customers both now and in the future, the responsible utility will consider the community’s size, location, demands, opportunities, and risks when it assesses and evaluates all water sources. As part of their planning, water utilities should seek input from their community.
More information
These factsheets provide an overview of considerations, potential benefits and challenges of each potential alternative water source option and its treatment in NSW.
- Desalination PDF, 382.63 KB
- Groundwater PDF, 97.28 KB
- Rainwater tanks PDF, 619.18 KB
- Recycled waste water PDF, 95.85 KB
- Stormwater harvesting PDF, 209.6 KB
- Surface water PDF, 311.95 KB
Additional resources: