Waist-deep water floods Sydney homes

A burst water main has caused flooding that was waist-deep and poured into up to 20 homes in Sydney's inner west.

A water main in Dulwich Hill ruptured at about 11am on Monday, causing homes to be evacuated and water to cover Old Canterbury Road.

Sydney Water said the extent of damage is unclear but 15-20 homes were affected.

"There was a large amount of water that came across; it was waist-deep in some areas," Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Adam Dewberry told reporters.

"There has been a lot of damage in some of the houses."

He expects the majority of residents will be able to return home soon as fire crews pump out water.

Sydney Water says they are expecting to restore water to the area by 4.30pm.

Old Canterbury Road remains closed to all traffic and the damage to the road is still unclear.