Audits conducted across the state found that almost half of water users are taking more than their fair share. 

Throughout the 2020-21 financial year the Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) monitored compliance of water use across NSW, finding almost half of those audited were overdrawing from their water accounts, an illegal activity. 

NRAR Director of Water Regulation Graeme White said that given the amount of illegal use, tackling the problem is a direct priority. 

“Water accounts are like a bank account, not a credit card. You can’t take more out of them than you have in them. It’s vital you know how much water you have available to use,” Mr White said.



The findings come a month after a Bourke-based farmer was charged with illegally pumping at least 734 megalitres of water while a water meter was not working. 

As well as a criminal conviction, he received fines and legal fees of almost $200,000 for filling his dam twice in one week; the size of almost 300 olympic-sized swimming pools. 

Nearby, an irrigator based on the Lower Namoi who exceeded bore extraction limits will have to forfeit more than a third of his current groundwater allocation, and contribute $15,000 towards fish stocking in the Namoi River. 

The irrigator will also reimburse NRAR $10,000 for investigation costs. 

“It’s a common misconception that you can purchase water after you’ve pumped. That’s not true, you have committed an offence by overdrawing your account,” Mr White said.

Out of 263 audits across the state, 101 accounts were found to be overdrawn by a minor degree, and 13 cases resulted in serious enforcement action including formal warnings, official cautions and fines.  

“It’s also important to make sure you keep your water account balance up to date by entering any outstanding meter reads or non-metered water take into iWAS, WaterNSW's’ online water accounting system. 

“Although we believe most water users want to do the right thing and are following the rules, we will take action against those who continue to break them. 

“Some of the ways we can respond to breaches include stop-work orders, enforceable undertakings, penalty notices, licence suspension, or imposing a penalty of up to five times the value of the water taken.” 

“Not knowing the rules doesn’t excuse non-compliance,” said Mr White.