Early infrastructure was established in the 1930s and has undergone rapid expansion since that time, particularly since the 1960s.

Gosford and Wyong Councils have been working together to deliver drinking water to Central Coast residents since 1977. It was then that a joint water supply system and the Gosford-Wyong Councils’ Water Authority (GWCWA) was formed.

The two Councils now jointly manage the system and share the cost of construction, operation and maintenance of the joint works.

Water can be transferred between the two Council areas – from Wyong Shire to Gosford City using a coastal connection between Wamberal and Foresters Beach, and from Gosford City to Wyong Shire via the western connection through Ourimbah and Tuggerah.

Our drinking water is usually drawn from Mangrove Creek, Mooney Mooney Creek, Ourimbah Creek and Wyong River. When there is not enough flow to meet the demand, for example during a drought, water is also sourced from the storage in Mangrove Creek Dam.

The system incorporates three dams, three weirs, two water treatment plants, 40 reservoirs, and 1900 km of pipelines. Gosford and Wyong Councils take some water from these rivers and creeks, remaining river flows are used for the environment and other commercial and residential uses.