Where your water comes from

We provide quality water to more than 73,000 people every day

Our primary sources are surface water from the Murrumbidgee River and groundwater from our network of bores across the supply area.

Water is sourced in Wagga Wagga primarily from the river intake at our main site at 91 Hammond Avenue, along with borefields at East Wagga Wagga (Kooringal Road), West Wagga (McNickle Road to Moorong Street) and North Wagga Wagga (East Street).

Water sourced and treated in Wagga Wagga supplies many villages via our network, including Ladysmith, San Isidore, Uranquinty, The Rock, Mangoplah, Yerong Creek, Henty, Morven, Pleasant Hills and Walla Walla.

A supplementary bore supply north of Walla Walla is used in the summer months. Wagga Wagga water can also be supplied to the west to the area generally served by Bulgary system.

The Bulgary system sources water from a borefield 30km west of Wagga Wagga, and after aeration and chlorination, pumps it to Milbrulong, Lockhart, Boree Creek, Urana and Oaklands.

Urana and Oaklands’ supply is supplemented in the summer months by water from Colombo Creek, which is moved by a pipeline to Urana where a full filtration plant is employed.

Groundwater is sourced and chlorinated for other villages with systems operating at Collingullie, Oura, Woomargama, Walbundrie/Rand and Humula.

A small quantity of water is purchased from Goldenfields Water County Council, to supply customers near to their trunk main between Gumly Gumly and Junee. 

Surface water

Surface water is any body of water above the ground. Our surface water source is the Murrumbidgee River, which winds its way through Wagga Wagga.

The river’s flow is controlled by the Blowering and Burrinjuck dams.

Generally, surface water requires more treatment than groundwater, which is naturally filtered through rock and sediment.

The treatment process for water sourced from the Murrumbidgee River includes:

• Screening: removing solid objects
• Flocculation: fine particles are removed using a chemical than makes them clump together and settle at the bottom
• Filtration – larger particles are removed as water moves through sand and/or crushed anthracite
• Disinfection: chlorine is generally used to kill bacteria, viruses and microbes. Fluoride is added as per NSW Health requirements.

Groundwater

Groundwater is the water below the land surface. Groundwater slowly moves between gaps in rocks and sediments. It connects to rivers, streams, lakes and wetlands.

Groundwater levels “recharge” through the movement of water into a groundwater system from rainfall, flooding, rivers or streams.

We manage our groundwater licences carefully, balancing how much water is sourced from the river versus bores to ensure the aquifers stay at sustainable levels.

Groundwater requires less treatment than surface water as it has been filtered through rock. However, as it is stored underground, it needs to be aerated to release trapped gasses.

After aeration, the water is filtered and chlorinated.

For more information, visit Industry NSW.