Water bills set to soar as state-owned supplier pours millions of dollars down the drain in ‘unnecessary’ ad blitz

A state-owned water supplier has been accused of wasting more than $8million on advertising and sponsorships – at the same time it claims it needs to up bills by 50 per cent. 

Figures released in state parliament showed Sydney Water spent just over $7million on advertising campaigns and sponsorships in 2023-24 and more than $1.5million so far this financial year.

The splurge came as the organisation, which is owned by the NSW government, sought to increase water bills by 18 per cent in the next financial year.

It also wanted to add seven per cent in prices rises each year after that.

Sydney Water is allowed to spend $5million on water conservation but a campaign starring Olympic gold medallist Jess Fox focused on its work rather than helping households conserve water.

The corporation defended its price hike when contacted by Daily Mail Australia.

‘Sydney Water is one of the cheapest water utilities of any capital city in Australia and we remain committed to ensuring we keep costs as low as possible while continuing to provide world-class water to customers,’ a spokesperson said.

‘A litre of tap water costs $0.002 compared to bottled water at around $3 per litre.’

But Independent MLC Rod Roberts quizzed the need for all the advertising given Sydney Water had no business competition.

‘Sydney Water is a monopoly so why does it need to advertise,’ he told News Corp.

‘That money would be better used in the reduction of bills or replacing ageing infrastructure.’

In ads, Fox explained to taxpayers how Sydney’s water was filtered, cleaned and tested by experts.

Sydney Water spent more than $3million on water conservation campaigns last year and $261,000 on ‘water literacy communications’.

It also splurged $2.1million on a wastewater campaign and $442,000 on ‘sponsorships’.

In 2025, more than $1million has been spent on water conservation and $414,000 on sponsorships.

Sydney Water has also had to deal with a stack of complaints after the discovery of ‘forever chemicals’ in the city’s water catchments.

Sydney Water said the cancer-linked chemicals, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), were below acceptable levels for safe drinking water and met Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.

PFAS are called forever chemicals because they don’t break down.

In defending the advertising spend, Sydney Water said the reporting of PFAS had an impact on public’s trust in its tap water.

‘The current campaign focuses on the quality of Sydney’s water and the high level of filtration, treatment, and testing which occurs to ensure our water is fresh, clean and safe,’ a spokesperson said.

‘It is also crucial to communicate the safety of Sydney’s tap water to customers and visitors who come from countries where tap water is not safe.

‘The current Jess Fox campaign has been tailored for radio and social ads, showcasing multiple families from diverse culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, all united by their journey with water.’