Sydney: Key findings

For the water account period 01 July 2021 – 30 June 2022

  • Total annual rainfall for the 2021-22 year was the region's third wettest year on record, with March 2022 being the wettest month (of all months) on record.
  • End-of-year storage was 97% full, the same as last year.
  • Water taken for consumptive use was 583 GL, around 4% more than last year.

Climate and water

Rainfall

Rainfall icon

1,469 mm

65% above the average of 888 mm

Streamflow

Streamflow icon

well above average

from Nov 2021 to Jun 2022

Storage

Storage icon

97% full

same as last year

Water use from all sources

Water sourced

Graph showing breakdown of water sources used in the Sydney region. A total of 605 GL of water was used in the region in 2021–22. Surface water made up 89% of total water sourced. Desalinated water made up 4% and groundwater 7% of the water sourced.

Water supplied

Graph showing breakdown of water users in the Sydney region. A total of 605 GL of water was supplied to users in 2021–22. 87% of total water supply was for the urban system and 13% was for individual users.

Water status of water resources

Water availability

18,938 GL

surface water available in 2021-22

arrowpointingup

38% more than last year

Water assessible

850 GL

total surface water and groundwater assessible in 2021-22

arrowpointingup

8% more than last year

Water taken

583 GL

total surface water and groundwater taken in 2021-22

arrowpointingup

4% more than last year