In 2021-22, over 16,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools worth of water was overdrawn in NSW. It’s equivalent to the capacity of Oberon Dam, stolen by just 6 per cent of water accounts. 

The Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) is taking action to reduce the number of water licence holders who extract more than they’re allocated. 

“There’s an outdated practice whereby people treat their water accounts like bank accounts, occasionally going into the red by taking more than they've been allocated and simply paying it back later,” NRAR Director of Regulatory Initiatives Ian Bernard said.

“That practice is against the law.” 

Despite 40,000 megalitres (ML) being taken, it represents a reduction in licence holders who are taking water. 

In the 2020-21 year, it was found that almost half of audited water users overdrew their water account.

 “Only 6 per cent of water accounts were found to have overdrawn their accounts, which tells us that most people are doing the right thing,” Mr Bernard said. 

“This small number of rule breakers have a big impact on our water resources and can cause significant harm to industry, communities, culture and the environment.” Mr Bernard said.

NRAR says water theft is on the decline. IMAGE: ABC

This year NRAR prosecuted a prominent Brewarrina-based cotton farmer who was found to have taken water equal to almost 300 Olympic-sized swimming pools. 

He was fined more than $57,000 and a further $135,000 in court costs, with a criminal conviction against his name after pleading guilty to pumping water despite a meter failure he said he wasn’t aware of.

In other cases, licence holders found guilty are also required to make payments to other projects, such as in Hay where $80,000 went to the local council to develop a small public park. 

“Water users have a responsibility to learn and follow the rules. Breaking them is simply not worth the risk.” Mr Bernard said.