In 2019, our community experienced a severe drought. The water level in Kentucky Creek Dam dropped to historic lows, and the water supply became contaminated. NSW Health later confirmed the presence of arsenic in the raw water feeding into the Uralla Water Treatment Plant. As a result, a Do Not Drink alert was issued for Uralla’s town water.

Further investigation revealed that the arsenic in Kentucky Creek Dam had changed from an inorganic to a toxic organic form. The likely cause was prolonged dry weather in the catchment, which triggered the growth of cyanobacteria and algae that contributed to this chemical change.

In 2022, we partnered with ZNET and the University of New South Wales (UNSW) to run a community consultation on the future of water security in Uralla Shire. The insights from that consultation were published in the "Let’s Talk About Water: Uralla Shire Water Blueprint – March 2022." You can download this report in the documents section of this page.

ZNET Community Consultation 2022

Please note: Council's latest Water Study Cost of Service Survey 1 is at the bottom of this page. Or click this survey link

In 2024, our Council received a grant of up to $855,315 through the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, under the Safe and Secure Water Program. This funding is supporting the development of a detailed 30-year water strategy for our community.

To lead this work, we appointed NSW Public Works Advisory (PWA) to manage what was formerly called the Uralla Shire Integrated Water Management Program (IWCM) — now known as the Uralla Shire Strategic Water Planning Study.

Strategic Water Security Planning Study (formerly IWCM)

The three programs are overseen by a Project Manager who is responsible for the performance of the three programs and undertakes coordination, planning and oversight of the assessment of short- and long-term risks to water quality and availability.

1. Water Quality Investigations
2. Public Works Program
3. Community Consultation and Engagement program

Together, these elements form the foundation for a safe, sustainable future water supply for Uralla Shire.

NSW Government strongly encourages best practice management of water utilities throughout Regional NSW, which includes integrated Water Cycle Management Planning. The NSW Government is proud to support this important planning work being done by Uralla Shire Council under the safe and Secure Water program.

For more information about water quality, click this link NSW Health - Water Quality webpage

Water Quality Investigations ongoing in 2025-2026

Council is working with consultants to conduct sediment sampling and water testing of the raw water in Kentucky Creek Dam for chemical analysis.

Below are the water testing and sediment sampling locations on the dam.

Kentucky Creek Dam Sediment Sampling and Water Testing locations

Water testing crew on Kentucky Creek Dam September 2025

NSW Public Works Advisory commissioned as Consultant on Strategic Water Security Planning Study

As part of our commitment to securing long-term, sustainable water and wastewater services for our communities across the Shire, we have appointed NSW PWA to lead the Uralla Shire Strategic Water Security Planning Study. Public Works will present its findings to Council. This information will then be made available to the community during the engagement consultation program implemented by Becscomm PTY LTD.

Public Works workshop 1 Issues Paper Report Uralla Court House June 2025

This study has three main aims:

1. To develop a strategy to meet Uralla Shire's water quality and quantity and its sewer services for the next thirty years.
2. To identify the "best value 30-year IWCM scenario on a Trible Bottom Line (TBL) basis.
3. To keep the community informed and consulted in the decision-making process about future water service options.

This has been an in-depth and necessary study to make sure any future capital works are based on solid evidence. It’s essential that the services we deliver remain appropriate, affordable, and cost-effective - not just now, but for the next 30 years. These services must meet community needs while protecting public health and the environment.

To ensure water security for the long term, we need a range of viable options - and some of those may involve significant infrastructure requiring additional funding. Importantly, funding is available to water authorities that have completed the Strategic Water Planning Study (formerly IWCM).

This study allows us to explore available options (solutions) in an evidence-based way, including an understanding of cost, feasibility, and — most importantly — whether the community supports them and is willing to invest in sustaining water quality and quality for the next 30 years.

Image provided by NSW Public Works

Public Works IWCM Strategic Water Security Study is funded by the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water under the Safe and Secure Water Program to develop a comprehensive 30-year water strategy for our community.

For more information about NSW water strategy and how it's aimed to assist "government, land use planners, water utilities, development proponents, and the community to work together to plan, manage and deliver water-resilient cities and towns across NSW" click on the link below -

Integrated Water Cycle Management (IWCM) | NSW Government Water

Community Consultation & Engagement Program

We are committed to involving the community in shaping the future of water and wastewater services in Uralla Shire including Bundarra.

As part of the Strategic Water Planning Study, we’ve engaged specialist consultants Becscomm Communication and Engagement to help deliver a comprehensive community consultation program. Becscomm's participation is funded by the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water (NSW DCCEEW and adheres to the Regional Communities consultation guidelines from here https://www.nsw.gov.au/nsw-government/communications/regional-communities-consultation-guide

The community consultation and engagement program commencing in September 2025 will provide opportunities to participate and have your say in the following activities and workshops scheduled for early 2026:

• Online Survey (on this page)
• Focus groups
• Pop-up information sessions
• Meetings with key stakeholders and community groups

These activities are designed to gather your thoughts, experiences and ideas. Community feedback will play a key role in helping Council make informed decisions for the future of water and wastewater services in our towns.