Water quality experts from WaterNSW will be in Warialda and Bingara on 5-6 June continuing our collaboration with Gwydir Shire Council on ways to reduce risks to local source water quality.

“We’re delighted to have our team on the ground working alongside Gwydir Shire Council to enhance the management of source water quality in the region as part of the NSW Government’s Town Water Risk Reduction Program,” WaterNSW Executive Manager Strategy and Performance, Fiona Smith, said.

“On day one, WaterNSW will host Council staff for a site visit to Copeton Dam for inspections and discussions with our dam operators to better understand the dam’s operations and how it influences source water quality. Our experts will also visit Council’s water treatment plant at Bingara, the river offtake on the Gwydir River.

“On day two, the team will visit Council’s groundwater bores at Gravesend and Warialda.

Theses inspections will enable our experts to better understand Council’s current operations, source water management practices and risk controls, so that we can provide the best and most practical advice.”

Gwydir Shire Council is one of 13 local water utilities participating in the baseline water quality monitoring program.

As part of the TWRRP, WaterNSW and Council are collecting additional water samples to help improve local water quality knowledge and management of drinking water supplies.

Collecting and reporting on local water quality samples is part of the source water quality stream of the TWRRP, an initiative of the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW).

“One of the big lessons from the most recent drought is the water sector must collaborate more closely to build expertise and provide better access to niche skills,” Fiona said.

“Some of these niche but critically important functions include catchment management and better ways to monitor and reduce risks at the source of water used in local town water supplies.

“WaterNSW is a national leader in the water sector, operating most of the large dams in NSW and protecting the health.

Media Release: WaterNSW