Sydney region
Overview: 2013–14
The Sydney region encompasses the Shoalhaven River catchment to the south, the Hawkesbury–Nepean catchment to the north, and the Illawarra and metropolitan rivers which flow through its major urban centre. The region supports the Sydney metropolis and many populated centres such as Nowra, Goulburn, Lithgow and Moss Vale, as well as large areas of conservation and agriculture. Water administration, supply and management are carried out by several authorities such as the New South Wales Office of Water, the Sydney Water Corporation, the Sydney Catchment Authority, and several local councils.
The Sydney region water requirements are serviced by the extensive surface water storage network that has been developed to meet the water needs of metropolitan Sydney, the most populous city in Australia. The streamflow captured from the region's major rivers is used mainly for urban water supply and agriculture. The Kurnell Desalination Plant and the Fish River Water Supply Scheme also provide water to the region, primarily for urban supply and power generation, although the Kurnell Desalination plant did not supply any water in the 2013–14 year. Groundwater represents less than 6% of all water rights in the region and is mainly used for domestic and stock purposes.
Rainfall across the Sydney region was below average for the 2013–14 year and approximately 30% less than the previous year. As a result of low rainfall and dry soil conditions, streamflow in the Shoalhaven and Colo rivers was below average. The decreased rainfall conditions, compared with the 2012–13 year, contributed to low inflows into the storages. Total storage volume decreased to 83% from 98% of total storage capacity during the 2013–14 year. Closing net water assets in the Sydney region was 2,390,793 ML, less than the 2012–13 year by 450,314 ML. For more information on the region's water assets, refer to Water accounting statements.
The key water account information for the Sydney region during the 2013–14 year is presented in the following table. Information on the uncertainty associated with the volumes presented in the table is provided in the relevant sections of the account.
Contextual information
2013–14 | 2012–13 | Long–term average | |
Rainfall: 646 mm | Rainfall: 904 mm | Rainfall: 889 mm | |
For more detail on the Sydney climate refer to Climate overview. |
Shoalhaven River | Colo River | Comment | |
below mean annual flow | below mean annual flow | Below average rainfall contributed to lower flows. | |
For more detail on streamflow in the Sydney region refer to Water overview. |
Water accounting statements
2013–14 | 2012–13 | ||
Total water assets as at 30 June (ML) | 2,390,793 | 2,841,107 | |
Total water liabilities as at 30 June (ML) | – | – | |
Change in net water assets (ML) | (450,314) | 57,862 | |
Closing net water assets (ML) | 2,390,793 | 2,841,107 | |
For more detail on water assets and water liabilities refer to Water Accounting statements. |
Notes: Supporting information
30 June 2014 | 30 June 2013 | ||||
Total capacity | Volume | % of capacity | Volume | % of capacity | |
2,862,622 ML | 2,386,167 ML | 83% | 2,813,222 ML | 98% | |
For more detail on surface water storage in the Sydney region refer to Surface water. |
Total water abstracted | |||
2013–14 | 2012–13 | Recent activity | |
Surface water: 632,538 ML | Surface water: 612,290 ML | Surface water abstractions increased, no desalinated water was supply in either 2012–13 and 2013–14. | |
Desalinated water: 0 ML | Desalinated water: 0 ML | ||
For more detail on water abstraction in the Sydney region refer to Surface water. |
Total water supplied | |||
2013–14 | 2012–13 | Recent activity | |
557,820 ML | 543,311 ML | Water supplied increased slightly. | |
For more detail on the urban water system in the Sydney region refer to Urban water system. |