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 of Meteorology (BOM) declaring an El Nino weather event.

Originally, restrictions weren’t going to be activated until the dam water levels had dropped to 60 per cent.

Rous’s General Manager Phillip Rudd said the climate model indicates El Nino is likely to continue until at least the end of summer.

“In partnership with our constituent councils, we have decided to activate water restrictions sooner than originally planned to help sustain our region’s water supply for longer and delay the onset of more severe restrictions,” Mr Rudd said.

“With a dry summer coming up very soon, it is important that as a community we are all mindful of our water use so we can save our supply for as long as possible,” he said.

Level 1 water restrictions will apply to the council areas of Ballina, Byron, Lismore and Richmond Valley. Mullumbimby and are excluded from the restrictions as they use a different water supply.

Level 1 water restrictions focus on residential outdoor water use.

Residents will not be able to water established lawns and can only water established gardens with hand-held hoses for one hour every second day, between 4pm and 9am.

A strongly encouraged water saving tip is to fit the water restriction guidelines to delay harsher limitations for as long as possible.

Much of the Northern Rivers is now considered to be in a drought, with intense drought conditions affecting the Clarence Valley and Richmond Valley.

To prepare for the water restrictions and for more water savings tips visit: www.rous.nsw.gov.au all hand-held hoses with on/off trigger nozzles.

Rous’ Group Manager of Planning Andrew Logan asked everyone in the community to do their part and follow

Rous is working to ensure the Northern Rivers water supply through its Future Water Project available to view at: rous.nsw.gov.au/ future-water-project.

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