NSW Government
Environment and Heritage

About water for the environment

Learn more about the role of water that is managed specifically to improve the health of rivers, wetlands and floodplains.

Endangered Waterbirds found in Yanga National Park
Australian little bittern chicks (Ixobrychus dubius) shelter in Yanga National Park.
Credit: Simone Carmichael/DCCEEW
Cormorants (Phalacrocorax sulcirostris) on a tree in Yanga National Park
Cormorants (Phalacrocorax sulcirostris) on a tree in Yanga National Park.
Credit: J Maguire/DPE
What is water for the environment?

Water that is allocated and managed specifically to improve the health of rivers, wetlands and floodplains is known as water for the environment.

Aerial view Devils Creek Regulator, Lowbidgee Wetlands, Yanga National Park
Aerial view Devils Creek Regulator, Lowbidgee Wetlands, Yanga National Park.
Credit: J Maguire/DPE
Government initiatives

Government initiatives help ensure that available water resources are shared appropriately in the face of climate variability and increasing water demand.

Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii) are a top order predator in the food web.
Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii) are a top order predator in the food web.
Credit: N Childs/DPE
Managing water in dry times

Healthy rivers and wetlands are the lifeblood of New South Wales. They are essential for the delivery of economic, social and environmental outcomes that impact us all.

Whittaker's Lagoon
Whittaker's Lagoon.
Credit: D Preston/DPE
Supporting activities

The planning and delivery of water for the environment involves a range of supporting activities including scientific monitoring, evaluation and water trading.

Vegetation Booligal Wetlands
Wetland plants including milfoil emerge from the water. Lignum - a larger wetland plant – can be seen on the horizon. .
Credit: Vince Bucello, Midstate Video Productions
Understanding water trade

Every year, water in our rivers and dams is bought and sold to meet the needs of towns, farms, industries and the environment.

Canoeing in the southern Macquarie Marshes
Canoeing in the southern Macquarie Marshes.
Credit: T Hosking/DPE
Community advisory groups

We work closely with the community to deliver water for the environment to priority sites across the state.

Semi permanent wetland under river red gums in the Macquarie Marshes Nature Reserve
Semi permanent wetland under river red gums in the Macquarie Marshes Nature Reserve.
Credit: S Bowen/DPE
Current water holdings

We are responsible for the delivery of all water for the environment in NSW. This includes water held by the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office.

Children playing on the banks of the Edward River
Children playing on the banks of the Edward River.
Credit: N Childs/DPE
Education resources

Explore our education resources, fact sheets and videos and learn about water for the environment and how this water is managed and used.

Looking down and along the tree-lined Gwydir River at Bingara, with mountains in the background
Gwydir River at Bingara.
Credit: Terry Cooke
Water use in your local catchment

View total water use in your local catchment