NSW catchments

Catchments can be both large and small and in lots of cases smaller sub-catchments can combine to form larger ones. Catchments are separated by high land, usually a mountain ridge or crest called a watershed.

The Sydney catchment area provides drinking water to about 60% of the New South Wales population.

Well managed catchments provide:

• healthy waterways as habitats for animals and plants
• reliable source of clean water
• unspoilt natural areas for recreation

We affect the health of our catchments and it is important to understand our impact on them.

The evaporation and condensation of water accounts for about 75% of the heat transferred into the atmosphere.