Level 1 Water Restrictions

Published on 23 October 2019

Level 1 water restrictions have been introduced by Gilgandra Shire Council to be implemented on 1 November until further notice.

Mayor, Doug Batten says,

“Regional NSW is in the midst of a severe drought. Water restrictions in our Shire mean that we too are being responsible in our use of water and contributing to its conservation.”

Most towns in central west of NSW have implemented some form of water restrictions.

General Manager, David Neeves says that to date these measures have not been necessary in Gilgandra.

“Gilgandra sources all of its water from a reliable bore field. Due to the forward planning of Council in drought preparedness, we are in a fortunate position where we have a number bores to supply the community’s needs.”

“At the moment, one of Council’s older supply bores is offline. Whilst the project to replace this bore is well advanced, it is unlikely to be completed in time for the warmer months, however we will continue to alternate between all of our supply bores.”

Adding,

“Gilgandra’s water is supplied by six bores, during the peak period of heat last summer, the water treatment plant was operating at its maximum capacity in order to keep up with demand. The ageing water treatment plant is the determining factor as to how much water we can produce not the access to raw water sources.”

The need for water saving is not limited to Gilgandra with Level 1 restrictions to be implemented for the non-potable supply in the village of Tooraweenah.

“The village of Tooraweenah is serviced by a non-potable water supply from a bore that is now the sole source of water for the village and is considered to be critical infrastructure,” says Mr Neeves.

Adding,

“Supply and demand are closely matched and the community is at risk of a water shortage if this balance is affected by environmental conditions or other factors such as power outages. Last summer Council was forced to cart water to Tooraweenah twice over a substantial distance to make up for the shortfall.”

NSW Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey has announced funding of up to $270,000 for Gilgandra Shire Council to carry out emergency works to secure the water needs of the Tooraweenah community.

Funding for the bore is being provided as part of the NSW Government’s Emergency Relief for Regional Town Water Supplies Policy, with Council contributing a further $30,000 to meet the $300,000 total.

Mayor Doug Batten said with no sign of the drought easing, the emergency works are absolutely critical to maintain sufficient water levels in the village storage.

“Our first priority is to find a suitable site for the new bore with test drilling to occur within the next few months. We’ll do everything we can to give Tooraweenah residents much needed relief for the coming summer, however sustainable water use will be key.”

For the summer months, Level 1 restrictions for residential premises entails:

ACTIVITY

LEVEL 1 LOW

Daily target per person per day

260 Litres

Watering of Lawns*

Watering systems, microsprays, drip systems, soaker hoses, non fixed sprinklers, hand held hoses only.

Summer Time: between 6pm and 9am only daily.

Watering of Residential Gardens*

Watering systems, microsprays, drip systems, soaker hoses, non fixed sprinklers, hand held hoses only.

Summer Time: between 6pm and 9am only daily

Topping up, filling garden water features

PERMITTED

Irrigation of new turf

Permitted for one week after laying after which level 1 restriction on watering lawns applies

Washing down walls or paved surfaces

NOT PERMITTED

Topping up private swimming pools/spas

PERMITTED

First fill of private swimming pools

PERMITTED

Washing cars at home

Permitted with bucket and rinse with trigger hose on lawn.

Baths, showers

PERMITTED

Washing of clothes

PERMITTED

Use of evaporative air conditioners

PERMITTED

Inflatable /temporary children’s pools

PERMITTED

 

An overview of permitted Level 1 Water Use for non-residential premises includes:

  •  Watering of lawns permitted between 6pm – 9am using watering systems, microsprays, soaker hoses, non-fixed sprinklers, hand held hoses only
  • Watering of gardens permitted between 6pm - 9am using watering systems, microsprays, drip systems, soaker hoses, non-fixed sprinklers, hand held hoses only

There are penalties for not complying with water restrictions, which may carry a fine of $220 in accordance with Schedule 12 of the Regulation. This provision does not extend to privately owned bores.

For more information, or for the full description of water restrictions and treatments, please visit Council’s website www.gilgandra.nsw.gov. au, visit us at Warren Road, or call 6817 8800. Updates on restrictions may also be found on Council’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/gilgandrashirecouncil/.

 

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Contact:         Kathryn Larkin

                        Community Engagement Officer

                        klarkin@gilgandra.nsw.gov.au

                        02 6817 8800

 

A copy of Water Restrictions on all levels is available to download(PDF, 536KB)

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