ACT Water Cycle

ACT Water Cycle

Water flows through an ongoing cycle, called the natural water cycle. This is the continuous movement of water between the land, oceans and the atmosphere. Water is always cycling around, through and above the earth. As it flows through the cycle, water changes its state from liquid to steam (gas) or ice (solid) and back to (liquid) water. 

ACT Water Cycle Diagram


Water vapour rises into the atmosphere, where the air is colder. The colder air causes water vapour to condense into water droplets and clouds. Water falls from the sky as rain, sleet, hail or snow. Surface water from lakes, waterways turn into water vapour and rises into the air. Water vapour is released into the air by plants and trees. When water does not soak into the ground it runs-off into gullies, streams and rivers. When water falls on the ground as rain, hail or snow, it can soak into the ground. Transpiration Evaporation Condensation Precipitation Infiltration Surface Runoff


As clouds within our region become heavy, they release water as rain, sleet, hail or snow. The mountains to our east and south-west direct this water into the Cotter and Queanbeyan rivers — these are our water catchments. 

The water in these rivers supply our four dams, which then feeds the ACT’s urban water cycle. 

Through pipelines, and pumping stations, the water from these dams begins a journey to our water treatment plants. Here the water undergoes a process of filtration and disinfection to become high-quality drinking water ready for your tap. 

From here, the water travels to suburban reservoirs located on hills throughout Canberra. These tanks supply drinking, washing and cleaning water to their surrounding suburbs. 

Once this water has left your home, it begins travelling towards one of our wastewater treatment plants through the wastewater network. Our plants treat, process and clean your wastewater so it can be released into the Murrumbidgee River. 

This freshly treated water rejoins the natural water cycle by travelling down the Murray river system to enter the ocean just south of Adelaide. 

For more information, please download our ACT hydrological cycle facts sheet and water cycle activity worksheet in our 'Education Session and Lesson Plans' page under 'Secondary 7-10'.

 We’re always happy to help 

For general queries, you can contact us directly at education@iconwater.com.au.  

If you need a bit more assistance, or just prefer talking to a person, you can call us on 02 6248 3111.