An independent audit undertaken by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) into WaterNSW operations in 2016-2017 has concluded that the utility has demonstrated a high level of compliance with both of its operating licences.
IPART also noted that WaterNSW had implemented all recommendations from previous audits, thereby improving its performance.
IPART’s operational audit for 2016-17 rated WaterNSW’s performance in the top category of “full compliance” in 17 of 19 areas of operations in servicing regional NSW, including customer relations, water delivery, asset maintenance and its obligations to the environment.
WaterNSW also achieved full compliance in nine of the ten categories relating to protecting Sydney’s drinking water catchment, including water quality, reliability of supply and asset management.
The three categories that did not make the highest rating all fell into the second highest rating of ‘high compliance’.
“WaterNSW is an organisation in pursuit of excellence, and this independent audit report confirms that we are achieving that goal,” WaterNSW CEO, David Harris said.
“It is particularly satisfying to receive confirmation that in the key areas where we have really focused our energies – customer service, catchment protection, the environment and sound custodianship of the state’s water assets – we have received the highest rating.
“I lead a team of skilled, hard-working and dedicated staff who are doing their best across all the areas of activity of WaterNSW. Outstanding results like these from IPART are a credit to all of them and it is proof of the calibre of people we have at WaterNSW.
“The community can be assured from this independent report from IPART that WaterNSW is doing a great job in supporting the multi-billion dollar irrigation industry, ensuring the source of Sydney’s drinking water is among the cleanest in the world, and supplying water to communities across the length and breadth of the state.”
