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Future Water Project

Rous is implementing the Future Water Project to ensure the Northern Rivers has a secure and resilient water supply that will meet the community’s needs to 2060 and beyond.

Water security means having a sustainable and reliable supply of safe drinking water that supports people’s health, livelihoods and the development of the region. Water security is a strong focus for Rous, as a growing population and a changing climate is placing pressure on our existing water sources.

Rous has a long history of supplying high-quality drinking water to the Northern Rivers, and as we look ahead, we build on a strong record of successfully planning and delivering a reliable water supply to the community.

Project stages

The Future Water Project 2060 sets out a three-stage approach to secure our regional water supply to 2060 and beyond. It includes more water saving initiatives and an expanded suite of water supply sources.

Three stage Future Water Project 2060 infographic

In stages one and two we are focused on enhancing our existing groundwater schemes at Alstonville and Woodburn. A new supply scheme at Alstonville will include water from the recently investigated sub-aquifer, the Clarence Moreton Basin, as well as surface water from Marom Creek.

At the same time, we are:

  • furthering investigations into groundwater from the Brunswick Coastal Sands source;
  • transforming Woodburn's groundwater resources into a regional drought emergency supply;
  • implementing new and innovative water conservation measures to better manage regional demand.

To meet the challenge of a growing population and a changing climate we are taking an ‘all options on the table’ approach to our third-stage planning.

An adaptable supply of water may involve one or a combination of different options including water saving measures, groundwater, surface water, purified recycled water and desalination. These potential future water sources are being investigated now to determine their viability; each option presents a complex mix of economic, environmental, social and cultural impacts that need to be considered, assessed and balanced. Exploring all the options will put us in the best position to make well-informed decisions and develop a robust water supply scheme for the future.

Read our latest project update.

Fact sheets and other resources

Frequently Asked Questions