Sydney
21.2 Surface water allocation announcements – urban water system

Supporting information

The volumetric value for the allocation/claim for the urban water access entitlement category is 1,040,588 ML.

This line item reflects the liability to the surface water store from the allocation/claim considered for the surface water store from the allocation/claim considered for urban water access entitlement category.

Entitlement values used to estimate allocated volume are based on information available in the Water Sharing Plan for the Greater Metropolitan Region Unregulated River Water Sources. As no formal allocation announcement has occurred the water allocation for the 2012–13 year was assumed to be 100% of the entitlement outlined in the water sharing plan. See Water legislation in the 'Contextual information' for further details.


Allocation announcements for the urban water system
Utility type Utility name Diversions associated with the allocation Allocated volume for the 2012–13 year (ML)
major utility (urban water) Sydney Catchment Authority diversions to Sydney Water Corporation for Sydney Greater Metropolitan Area 987,000
diversions from Bendeela Pondage to Kangaroo Valley for Shoalhaven City Council
diversions from Wingecarribee Reservoir to the Wingecarribee water treatment plant for Wingecarribee Shire Council and Goulburn Mulwaree Council
diversions to some retail customers
major utility (urban water) Sydney Water1 Corporation diversions from the Hawkesbury and Lower Nepean rivers water source 20,075
local water utility Goulburn Mulwaree Council Goulburn Mulwaree Council diversions to Goulburn water treatment plant from storages and divert to Marulan Water Treatment Plant from river flow. 31,280
Lithgow City Council Lithgow City Council diversions to Oakey Park water treatment plant from a storage
Shoalhaven City Council Sydney Catchment Authority diversions from Lake Yarrunga (Tallowa Dam) for pumping at Burrier for Shoalhaven City Council.
right to divert from the Kangaroo River unregulated water source and Jasper Creek 
Wingecarribee Shire Council Wingecarribee Shire Council diversions to Medway and Bundanoon water treatment plant from storages
Palerang City Council Palerang City Council diversions for Braidwood water treatment plant
domestic and stock (town water supply)   2,233
Total   1,040,588

1 Sydney Water Corporation's unregulated entitlements from the Hawkesbury and Lower Nepean rivers' water source. The Sydney Water Corporation uses these entitlements to supply water to its North Richmond water treatment plant. The Sydney Catchment Authority supplies water to all Sydney Water Corporation's other water treatment plants from its storages/weirs. These supplies are based on the Sydney Catchment Authority's regulated entitlements and the bulk supply agreement between the two organisations.

Quantification approach

Data source

Water Sharing Plan for the Greater Metropolitan Unregulated River Water Sources; entitlement data recorded in databases and water management licences.

Provided by

The Bureau of Meteorology calculated allocation announcement/claim; New South Wales Office of Water, Shoalhaven City Council, Goulburn Mulwaree Council, Lithgow City Council, and Wingecarribee Shire Council provided entitlement data.

Method

The volumetric value for the announced allocation/claim for urban water access entitlements/arrangements in the Sydney region was estimated by mapping entitlement values stated in the water sharing plan to the relevant category of entitlements, and applying an assumed allocation 100% at the beginning of the 2012–13 year. Entitlements for the Sydney Catchment Authority (major utility) and five local water utilities (Shoalhaven City Council, Goulburn Mulwaree Council, Lithgow City Council, Palerang City Council, and Wingecarribee Shire Council) were taken into account.

Assumptions, limitations, caveats and approximations

There is no process of formal allocation announcement for the entitlement holders considered in this line item. Taking into consideration the water availability at the beginning of the 2012–13 year, an allocation of 100% was assumed.

Uncertainty information

The volume was estimated. Uncertainty is ungraded.

Comparative year

The allocation announcement stated in the 2011–12 year was assumed to be 100% of all water entitlements held in the Sydney region. With the implementation of the Water Sharing Plan for the Greater Metropolitan Region Unregulated River Water Sources the allocations for all licence categories except 'major utility (power generation)' and 'major utility (urban water)' were 200% to the allow the implementation of the carry-over rules associated with the plan.

The water entitlement category of 'local water utility' was stated in 2011–12 as being 31,280 ML. The correct volume for the 2011–12 year was 62,580 ML. The correct volume for line item 21.2 Surface water allocation announcements – urban water system in the 2011–12 year is 1,069,635 ML.