Emergency Relief for Securing Regional Water Supplies

The objective of this program is to provide support to regional town and village water supplies that are threatened by circumstances that could not be reasonably planned for, such as an extreme dry period or extreme water quality event.

Who can apply:

• Local councils and County Councils, as identified under the Local Government Act 1993 (providing water supply and/or sewerage services under Section 56).
• Water supply authorities (as identified in the Water Management Act 2000). 
• Joint organisations (as defined by the Office of Local Government). 
• Town water suppliers in unincorporated areas.

Who the grant is targeted towards:

The grant will only apply to essential domestic, commercial, industrial and institutional purposes in urban areas, or to essential domestic purposes in non-urban areas. The basis of subsidy for water cartage will be the actual cost of cartage, subject to Council targeting minimum essential quantities and implementing a high level of water restrictions that prohibits outdoor usage.

If water is carted for drinking purposes, the eligible organisation must follow NSW Health’s ‘NSW Guidelines for Water Carters’ document.

Types of projects funded under this grant:

Emergency financial grant assistance

Where water cartage is agreed as the most cost-effective means of maintaining essential supplies, the department may pay a subsidy based on eligible costs incurred.

Financial assistance can also be provided for the emergency provision of bottled water in exceptional circumstances.

Emergency infrastructure grant assistance

The cost of design and construction of approved water emergency works where the source of supply is at very high or imminent risk of failure or has failed as the result of an extreme event.