Details
Last Updated: Tuesday, 11 November 2025 14:04

We operate 12 different water supply systems across the Region - each with its own water sources, user demands and water restrictions. For information about water pricing and charges refer to the Water rates article.

Bulk water supply scheme

This includes the City of Toowoomba as well as the towns and localities of Birnam, Blue Mountain Heights, Cabarlah, Cawdor, Charlton, Cotswold Hills, Crows Nest, Geham, Glenvale, Goombungee, Gowrie Junction, Gowrie Mountain, Grapetree, Hampton, Highfields, Hodgson Vale, Jondaryan, Kingsthorpe, Kleinton, Lilyvale, Meringandan, Meringandan West, Merritts Creek, Mount Rascal, Oakey, Pechey, Preston, Spring Bluff, Top Camp, Torrington, Vale View, Wellcamp, Westbrook, Woolmer, Wyreema.

  • This is the largest system in the Toowoomba Region catering for greater than 90% of town water used.
  • This system primarily sources water from Cressbrook, Perseverance and Cooby Dams. Additionally, a limited backup supply is provided by Wivenhoe Dam. The Toowoomba City area is also supplemented by local groundwater bores.
  • Water treatment primarily occurs at the Mt Kynoch Water Treatment Plant, with treatment also occurring at the smaller Pechey, Cressbrook and Perseverence water treatment plants.
  • Water is delivered to properties via more than 370 km of pipelines, 18 reservoirs, and 17 pump stations.
  • A pipeline from Wivenhoe Dam to Cressbrook Dam provides security to this system. 

The main water sources for this scheme are:

  1. Dams: We have three dams - Cressbrook, Cooby and Perseverance. 
  2. Bores: We have 47 bore stations. Bores access groundwater and contribute approximately 20-30% of our water supply.
  3. Wivenhoe Dam pipeline: The pipeline from Wivenhoe Dam (SEQWater) provides security of supply when the rainfall in our dam catchments is insufficient to maintain supply to meet the region's growing needs. Once the capacity of Cressbrook dam falls below 40% we can start using water from Wivenhoe Dam.
+ - Cooby Dam Click to collapse

Cooby Dam is the oldest of the city's three water supply dams, constructed during the period 1938-41. This dam is located about 17 km north of Toowoomba on Cooby Creek, a tributary of Condamine River.

Storage statistics

  • Total catchment area = 159 km2
  • Storage area = 306 ha (full supply)
  • Maximum available storage = 21,166 ML
  • Dead storage = 1,462 ML
  • Approximate evaporation = 5.2 mm/day
  • Full water supply useable capacity = 19,703 ML
  • Depth (overflow - dead water level) = 12.5 m
+ - Cressbrook Dam Click to collapse

Cressbrook Dam is the largest and newest of the city's three water supply dams. The dam is located on Cressbrook Creek approximately 10 km downstream of Perseverance Dam. The construction of the dam was commenced in 1981 and was completed in 1983.

Storage statistics

  • Total catchment area = 320 km2 (including Perseverance)
  • Storage area = 517 ha (full supply)
  • Maximum available storage = 81,842 ML
  • Dead storage = 2,995 ML
  • Approximate evaporation = 5.4 mm/day
  • Full water supply useable capacity = 78,847 ML
  • Depth (overflow - dead water level) = 34.0 m
+ - Perseverance Dam Click to collapse

Perseverance Dam is the second largest dam in terms of storage capacity, and the second oldest storage dam of the city's three water supply dams. Construction of this dam commenced in 1962 and was completed in 1965. This dam is located approximately 35 km northeast of Toowoomba on Perseverance Creek, which is a tributary of Cressbrook Creek. 

Storage statistics

  • Total catchment area = 110 km2
  • Storage area = 250 ha (full supply)
  • Maximum available storage = 30,140 ML
  • Dead storage = 3,207 ML
  • Approximate evaporation = 4.1 mm/day
  • Full water supply useable capacity = 26,893 ML
  • Depth (overflow - dead water level) = 23.1 m
+ - Wivenhoe Dam Click to collapse

The Wivenhoe pipeline, operational in 2010, ensures that the local water infrastructure keeps pace with the needs of the community. When utilised, the water from Wivenhoe Dam is lifted more than 200 metres to Cressbrook Dam and then has to be lifted another 425 metres to be treated and ready for use in homes and businesses over 600 metres above its source.

The three dams (Cooby, Cressbrook and Perseverance) and bores in the Toowoomba Region have been able to adequately supply our residents, businesses and industries, but the continuing population growth may mean water will need to be drawn from Wivenhoe Dam in the future.

Pipeline details

  • Length: 38 kilometres from Wivenhoe Dam to Cressbrook Dam.
  • Type of water transferred: Raw water.
  • Capacity to deliver water: 14,200 megalitres per year with an ultimate capacity of 18,000 megalitres per year.
  • Pump stations: two pump stations at Wivenhoe Dam and an advanced electronic system to ensure remote operation.
  • Built by: LinkWater Projects and fully operational by January 2010.

 

Non-bulk water supply scheme

This includes a variety of services in Cambooya, Cecil Plains, Clifton, Greenmount, Haden, Kulpi, Millmerran, Nobby, Pittsworth and Yarraman.

Treated water is delivered to properties via more than 260 km of pipelines, 17 reservoirs, and 7 pump stations.

+ - Cambooya water supply Click to collapse
  • Water is supplied by bores.
  • Water treatment via chlorination occurs at bore stations.
  • Water is delivered to customers via over 27 km of pipelines.
  • Water restrictions apply.

Cambooya water supply zone map.

+ - Cecil Plains water supply Click to collapse
  • Water is supplied by a bore and the Cecil Plains Weir on the Condamine River.
  • Water treatment occurs at the Cecil Plains Water Treatment Plant.
  • Water is delivered to customers via over 8 km of pipelines and is assisted by a booster station.
  • Water restrictions apply.

Cecil Plains water supply zone map.

+ - Clifton water supply Click to collapse
  • Water supplied by bores.
  • Water is treated at the Clifton Water Treatment Plant.
  • Water is delivered to customers via over 24 km of pipelines and is assisted by a booster station.
  • Water restrictions apply.

Clifton water supply zone map.

+ - Greenmount water supply Click to collapse
  • Water supplied by bores.
  • Water treatment via chlorination occurs at bore stations.
  • Water is delivered to customers via over 10 km of pipelines.
  • Water restrictions apply.

Greenmount water supply zone map.

+ - Haden water supply Click to collapse
  • Water is supplied by bores.
  • Water treatment via chlorination occurs at the bore station.
  • Water is delivered to customers via nearly 3 km of pipelines.
  • Water restrictions apply.

Haden water supply zone map.

+ - Kulpi water supply Click to collapse

Kulpi water supply zone map.

+ - Millmerran water supply Click to collapse
  • Water is supplied by bores.
  • Water treatment via chlorination occurs at bore stations.
  • Water is delivered to customers via over 46 km of pipelines and is assisted by two booster stations.
  • Water restrictions apply.

Millmerran water supply zone map.

+ - Nobby water supply Click to collapse
  • Water is supplied by bores.
  • Water treatment via chlorination occurs at bore stations.
  • Water is delivered to customers via over 6 km of pipelines.
  • Water restrictions apply.

Nobby water supply zone map.

+ - Pittsworth water supply - includes Brookstead, Pittsworth & Southbrook Click to collapse
  • Water is supplied by bores.
  • Water treatment occurs at the Yarranlea Water Treatment Plant.
  • Water is delivered to customers via over 73 km of pipelines and is assisted by two booster stations.
  • Water restrictions apply.

Pittsworth water supply zone map.

+ - Yarraman water supply Click to collapse
  • This system primarily sources water from Boondooma Dam. Intermittent supply is provided by Ted Pukallus Weir.
  • Water treatment occurs at the Yarraman Water Treatment Plant.
  • Water is delivered to customers via over 62 km of pipelines and is assisted by a booster station.
  • Water restrictions apply.

Yarraman water supply zone map.

 

Key challenges and major projects

Water vision 2071

Water Vision 2071 provides an integrated water security and wastewater servicing strategy for the next 50 years, supporting prosperous growth forecasts and addressing key challenges to servicing the Region.

Major projects

Major projects in progress or being planned for the near future can be found in the Major projects part of our website.