Sydney: Key findings

For the water account period 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024

  • Annual rainfall in the Sydney region during 2023–24 was above average for the fourth consecutive year, mainly due to a sustained period of wetter-than-average conditions between November and June.
  • Total storage volume increased by 4.5% across the Sydney region during the reporting year, finishing at 99.8% on 30 June 2024—the highest end-of-year storage volume since 1988.
  • Water taken from surface water and groundwater resources for consumptive use in the Sydney region was 595 GL, around 13% more than last year.

Climate and water

Rainfall

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1,041 mm

16% above the average of 895 mm

Streamflow

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mostly above average

from Dec 2023 to Jun 2024

Storage

Storage icon

99.8% full

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4.5% more than last year

Water use from all sources

Water sourced

Graph showing breakdown of water sources used in the Sydney region. A total of 630 GL of water was used in the region in 2023-24. Surface water accounted for 89% of total water sourced. Desalinated water made up 6% and groundwater 5% of the water sourced. The remaining 1% of the water sourced was from inter-region inflows.

Water supplied

Graph showing breakdown of water users in the Sydney region. A total of 630 GL of water was supplied to users in 2023-24. The urban system contributed to 88% of total water supply, while the remaining 12% was for individual users.

Water status of water resources

Water availability

9,659 GL

surface water available in 2023-24

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26% less than last year

Water accessible

827 GL

total surface water and groundwater accessible in 2023-24

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8% more than last year

Water taken

595 GL

total surface water and groundwater taken in 2023-24

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13% more than last year