Access to clean water has shaped human settlements throughout history, and Melbourne is no different.

Melbourne's largest reservoir, the Thomson Dam, was designed to 'drought-proof' Melbourne. It was officially included in our water storages in 1984.

Follow the history of Melbourne’s sewerage, from open sewers and thunderboxes to sustainable resource management and recovery.

The Western Treatment Plant has played a crucial role in Melbourne's development, treating our sewage since 1897.

Our rivers, creeks and wetlands have played many roles throughout history: as places of cultural importance, sources of water and natural forms of drainage.

The Yarra River is not big by world standards. It runs for just 242 kilometres from its source on the flanks of Mt Baw Baw in the Yarra Ranges National Park to its mouth at the head of Port Phillip Bay in Newport.

See how Melbourne Water is meeting the challenges of population growth and climate change to make Melbourne a better place to live.

Read how Melbourne Water is adapting our operations in response to a changing and increasingly variable climate.

Learn how we’re shading, cooling and greening Melbourne’s spaces to help maintain liveability in a changing climate.

See how we're improving our energy efficiency, and generating renewable energy from our operations.