Water is integral to our urban landscapes. Water cools our urban centres, supports healthy and resilient ecosystems, and provides recreation opportunities for us to enjoy.
In urbanised towns, impervious surfaces such as roads and developments can increase the volume and velocity of water flowing into waterways when it rains. This causes erosion and sedimentation in urban streams, impacting water quality and plant and animal habitats.
Pollutants from community, industrial and commercial activities often find their way into stormwater systems, causing water quality, health and environmental concerns.
It is vital that communities, government and industry work together to minimise threats to our waterways so we can continue to have thriving, healthy and resilient communities.
The WaterNSW Urban Program seeks to reduce water quality risks from urban areas in the Sydney Drinking Water Catchment.
Since councils are key players in the management of urban stormwater, wastewater and other urban infrastructure, it’s important that WaterNSW and councils work together for catchment health.
WaterNSW is celebrating five new partnerships with local councils under the Urban Program.
Together we will work toward a joint vision of more water sensitive towns i.e. working with councils to support our urban spaces be sustainable, resilient, productive, liveable and aligned with the values of our First Nations communities.
Participating councils include Blue Mountains City Council, Lithgow City Council, Wollondilly Shire Council, Wingecarribee Shire Council and Goulburn Mulwaree Council.
