Building a more secure water future for Uralla

Published on 25 August 2026

Uralla Shire Council is continuing to strengthen the region's water security through infrastructure improvements, strategic planning and ongoing investment in the town water network.

Council acknowledges the ongoing concerns and frustration experienced by many residents and businesses in relation to water security, water quality and service reliability, and recognises the community’s patience and resilience as this work continues.

Recent investigations have provided valuable insights into how water is lost across the system, helping Council target future works where they will have the greatest benefit.

The studies found that continuous underground leakage is relatively low, with most water losses occurring through water main and service line breaks in older sections of the network.

Council continues to repair breaks, replace ageing water meters and renew sections of the water network as funding becomes available, while pursuing opportunities for larger-scale upgrades.

These efforts build on lessons learned during the 2019-2020 drought, which highlighted the need for a more resilient and diversified approach to water security. The drought, bottled water alert and ongoing infrastructure challenges have had a lasting impact on many community members. Since then, Council has improved emergency planning, strengthened its understanding of existing infrastructure and undertaken studies to better plan for future demand.

Looking ahead, Council is developing a 30-year water security strategy, supported by NSW Government funding, to guide future decisions on water supply, infrastructure and system improvements.

Community feedback gathered through initiatives such as Let's Talk About Water and Council's Your Say platform is helping shape these plans and ensure they reflect local priorities. Residents can learn more and provide feedback at Council's water planning and groundwater project pages on the Your Say Uralla! platform.

Ensuring a reliable and sustainable water supply requires a combination of infrastructure renewal, sound asset management and long-term planning.

By continuing to invest in network reliability, future supply options and community engagement, Council is working to ensure Uralla's water system remains safe, secure and sustainable for decades to come.