01
Executive overview
Key findings
343,554 ML: drinking water supplied to retailer customers in FY 2025-26, up from about 326,060 ML a year earlier (actual)
430,000 ML a year: the existing system's level of service yield under historical climate, falling to 325,000 ML a year by 2051 under future climate (modeled projection)
About 88%: the SEQ Water Grid's effective full supply level while Wivenhoe, Somerset and North Pine dams are held below full for upgrades (temporary operating limit)
A$534.8 million: capital expenditure in FY 2025-26, the largest in Seqwater's history, against a A$747.3 million budget (actual)
02
Buyer relevance
Who the report is for
Water resource and drought planners
Compare FY 2025-26 supply of 343,554 ML with a modeled yield of 430,000 ML a year, falling to 325,000 ML by 2051, and Grid storage of 82.5% against an 88% ceiling.
Dam, water transfer and treatment contractors
Track the Wyaralong plant, the NPI-3 northern interconnector and the North Pine, Somerset and Wivenhoe upgrades, each estimated above A$1 billion, with their current status and next milestones.
Public sector and regulatory teams
See which decisions sit with the responsible Ministers, the Department and the Queensland Competition Authority, including the price freeze at A$3.517 a kiloliter to June 30, 2028.
Lenders and infrastructure investors
Set capital expenditure of A$534.8 million against a A$747.3 million budget and net debt at 79% of the Regulated Asset Base against a 60% benchmark.
03
Decision scope
Questions answered
How close is South East Queensland's demand to its water supply limit?
Retailer supply of 343,554 ML in FY 2025-26 was about 80% of the existing system's 430,000 ML a year modeled yield, and Seqwater's modeling puts the need for new supply at about 2030/31.
Why can't the Water Grid fill to 100%?
Wivenhoe is held at 90%, Somerset at 80% and North Pine at 54% of full supply during upgrades, which caps the Grid at about 88%.
When does the next major new supply arrive?
The Wyaralong Water Treatment Plant is targeting first water in 2032, after shortlisting two bidders in September 2025.
What happens to bulk water prices?
Prices for South East Queensland councils are frozen at A$3.517 a kiloliter for 2026-27 and 2027-28, with the next regulator-recommended prices due from July 1, 2028.
04
Inside the report
Inside the complete report
Executive Overview
1. Water Resource Profile
2. Governance and Institutional Framework
3. Infrastructure and Service Delivery
Strategic Outlook and Opportunities
Source Register
05
Public preview
What to watch next
1. Water Resource Profile
Grid storage against the 70% and 60% triggers through the 2026-27 wet season; publication of the desalination trigger amendment; FY 2025-26 per person demand in the next Water Security Program annual report.
2. Governance and Institutional Framework
The terms of reference for the next QCA bulk water review; legislative amendments to the level of service objectives; the 2026-27 State Borrowing Program approval; any further section 61 directions.
3. Infrastructure and Service Delivery
Capital delivered against the FY 2026-27 budget; South West Pipeline moving to full operation; the next drinking water service annual report; the transition of off-grid towns to Grid supply.
The strategic program table: dam repairs, new supply and water transfer projects with cost, status at October 30, 2026 and next milestone.
06
Included
What you receive
The complete PDF report: 13 pages, 6 sections, 15 tables and a register of 24 sources.
This edition
October 2026, First edition.
07
Evidence & method
Evidence and method
The report draws on Seqwater's annual reports for FY 2020-21 to FY 2025-26, its Water Security Program 2023 and the 2025 program annual report, its national performance and drinking water quality reports, Queensland Government price pages and ministerial statements, and Seqwater project pages and market briefings checked on October 30, 2026.
Sources
24 sources, listed in the report's source register. Evidence current to 30 October 2026. Principal data periods: FY 2020-21 to FY 2025-26 results (years ended June 30); Water Security Program 2023 and its 2025 annual report (March 2026); bulk water prices for 2026-27 and 2027-28; storage and project status checked against public sources on October 30, 2026. All currency is Australian dollars (A$). Figures marked "calculated" are derived in this report from the values shown..
Evidence boundaries
This report uses authoritative source material available at the stated research cutoff. It distinguishes published facts, calculated values and analytical interpretation. No independent modelling is performed. Forward-looking analysis reflects published plans, documented trends and stated uncertainties. It does not constitute legal, financial, investment or engineering advice.
08
Lead analyst
Robert C. Brears
Founder, Our Future Water Intelligence
Robert C. Brears is a water-security specialist and author whose work examines utility governance, infrastructure investment, climate resilience and long-term water-system change for executive and policy audiences.
- Decision-focused utility intelligence
- Published water-policy author
- Evidence-grounded system analysis
09
Buyer FAQs
Before you purchase
Who can use the report?
Licensed for internal use within one purchasing organization. The PDF and its contents may be shared with colleagues within that organization. External redistribution, resale and public publication are prohibited without permission.
How is the report delivered?
The PDF is available to download immediately after confirmed payment, through our secure delivery system.
Can my organization buy wider access?
Institutional purchasing: For invoice enquiries, multi-organization licensing or broader access requirements, contact Our Future Water Intelligence.
10
Water Systems Overview: Seqwater
- Format
- Length
- 13 pages
- Edition
- October 2026, First edition
- Price
- USD 499
11
Report details
Publication details
- Publisher
- Our Future Water Intelligence
- Report family
- Water Utility Intelligence Report
- Edition
- October 2026, First edition
- Format
- Length
- 13 pages
- Reference
- OFW_EXT_WATER_SYSTEMS_OVERVIEW_SEQWATER_ec618a0a68bf
- Evidence current to
- 30 October 2026
14
Explore this report family
More Water Systems Overview reports
Explore the same report family covering other utilities.
Water Systems Overview: Berliner Wasserbetriebe
- Geography
- Berliner Wasserbetriebe
- Edition
- October 2026, First edition
- Length
- 11 pages
Water Systems Overview: Department of Energy, Abu Dhabi Emirate
- Geography
- Department of Energy, Abu Dhabi Emirate
- Edition
- October 2026, First edition
- Length
- 14 pages
Water Systems Overview: Sydney Water
- Geography
- Sydney Water
- Edition
- October 2026, First edition
- Length
- 13 pages