The Northern Rivers Times
October 26, 2023
2 NEWS
FALLING WATER LEVELS PROMPT WATER RESTRICTIONS EARLIER THAN EXPECTED By Sarah Waters Water levels at Rous County Council’s primary water source Rocky Creek Dam are dropping and residents are urged to use less water with restrictions expected to be put in place before Christmas. Rous announced last week that Level 1 water restrictions will be activated when Rocky Creek Dam reaches 70 per cent to help preserve the region’s water supply. The dam is currently at 82 per cent capacity with a falling supply of water due to low inflows and an increase in water use in the region. Rous proposed that water restrictions were brought forward in response to the Bureau
SAVE WATER: Level 1 water restrictions will be activated when Rocky Creek Dam reaches 70 per cent to help preserve the region’s water supply.
have decided to activate
Nimbin are excluded
Residents will not be
water saving tip is to fit
the water restriction
water restrictions sooner
guidelines to delay
than originally planned
harsher limitations for as
to help sustain our
long as possible.
region’s water supply
Much of the Northern
for longer and delay the
Rivers is now considered
onset of more severe
to be in a drought,
of Meteorology (BOM)
restrictions,” Mr Rudd
declaring an El Nino
said.
weather event.
“With a dry summer
Originally, restrictions
coming up very soon,
weren’t going to be
it is important that as a
activated until the dam
community we are all
water levels had dropped
mindful of our water
to 60 per cent.
use so we can save our
Rous’s General
supply for as long as
Rous County Council’s General Manager Phillip Rudd urges residents to be mindful of water use
Manager Phillip Rudd
possible,” he said.
from the restrictions as
able to water established
all hand-held hoses with
said the climate model
Level 1 water
they use a different water
lawns and can only water
on/off trigger nozzles.
indicates El Nino is
restrictions will apply
supply.
established gardens with
Rous’ Group Manager
Rivers water supply
likely to continue until at
to the council areas of
Level 1 water
hand-held hoses for one
of Planning Andrew
through its Future Water
least the end of summer.
Ballina, Byron, Lismore
restrictions focus on
hour every second day,
Logan asked everyone
Project available to view
“In partnership with our
and Richmond Valley.
residential outdoor water
between 4pm and 9am.
in the community to do
at: rous.nsw.gov.au/
constituent councils, we
Mullumbimby and
use.
A strongly encouraged
their part and follow
future-water-project.
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with intense drought conditions affecting the Clarence Valley and Richmond Valley. To prepare for the water restrictions and for more water savings tips visit:
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Wine Cooking Health/Seniors Gardening Funerals
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www.rous.nsw.gov.au Rous is working to ensure the Northern
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