Water is one of the most important natural resources on which life on earth depends. Urbanisation of water catchments places increasing pressure on the quantity and quality of water. Integrating the principles of total water cycle mangement into land management practices is vital to effectively address the pressures impacting our water catchments. 

Water Quality

The Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) measures the recreational water quality of Sydney Harbour and the surrounding beaches through the Harbourwatch and Beachwatch programs.

Water samples are collected from all swimming locations in the greater metropolitan region once every six days as part of a long term monitoring program. In Woollahra, samples are collected from our five main swimming locations; Redleaf Pool, Rose Bay Beach, Nielsen Park, Parsley Bay and Watsons Bay.

The water quality results for the 2005-06 summer season ranked our five swimming locations equal first!

View Daily Harbourwatch Bulletins for water quality information at our swimming locations.

Water Conservation

The Metropolitan Water Plan for Sydney (MWP), released by the NSW Government, highlights the fact that Sydney is using more water than is sustainable.

In response to ongoing drought, the introduction of water restrictions and consistently high water consumption by Woollahra’s residents, Council is implementing a range of water conservation actions. Learn more about Council’s water savings.

Residents and workers in the Woollahra area have also been reducing their water consumption. In 2001/2002, a total of 8,385,816 kilolitres of water was used, compared with 5,997,976 kL in 2006/07. This equates to an annual saving of almost 30%. Learn more about how you can save water.

Water Restrictions

Level 3 mandatory water restrictions now apply across Sydney, Illawarra and the Blue Mountains. The restrictions apply to all Sydney Water customers including residents, businesses, local councils and government agencies.

The Level 3 restrictions are:

• Hand-held hosing of lawns and gardens and drip irrigation is now allowed only on Wednesdays and Sundays before 10 am and after 4 pm
• No other watering systems or sprinklers are to be used at any time
• A permit from Sydney Water is required to fill new or renovated pools bigger than 10,000 litres
• No hosing of hard surfaces including vehicles at any time
• No hoses or taps to be left running unattended, except when filling pools or containers
• Fire hoses must only be used for fire fighting purposes – not for cleaning.

Recycled water, bore water and water used for testing fire systems, fire fighting and related activities are excluded from restrictions.

Visit www.sydneywater.com.au for more information

Stormwater Development Control Plan (DCP)

Council commenced the preparation of a stormwater Development Control Plan (DCP) that incorporates provisions for stormwaer capture and re-use, water quality, drainage management and geotechnical and hydrogeological management. In preparing the DCP, Council is reviewing the draft Stormwater Drainage Management DCP and the draft Flood Risk Management DCP prepared and exhibited in 2004.

Download Draft Stormwater Drainage Management DCP (PDF) and On-site stormwater detention (OSD) exemption area map (PDF).

Download Draft Flood Risk Management DCP (PDF).

Floodplain management

The Floodplain Management Process is a four-staged process recognising the demands for development and change, the need for good urban and environmental outcomes, and the social and economic benefits of reducing flood damage. View details about Council's management of flood prone land (includes the Rushcutters Bay Catchment Flood Study).