Media Release Monday, 13 January 2020

Media release Monday, 13 January 2020

For immediate release

Level 2 water restrictions set for 20 January 2020

Poor rainfall outlook coupled with high water demand over the holiday period has prompted water restrictions to be elevated to Level 2 effective Monday, 20 January 2020.

This applies to the council areas of Ballina (including Wardell and Meerschaum Vale), Byron (excluding Mullumbimby), Lismore (excluding Nimbin), and Richmond Valley (excluding Casino).

Rous County Council Acting Planning Manager, Samuel Curran, met with the Regional Drought Management Committee on Wednesday, 8 January to discuss the current outlook. Representatives from Ballina, Lismore, Byron and Richmond Valley Council agreed now is the right time to initiate Level 2 water restrictions.

“Water consumption across the Rous supply area for November and December has been more than 10 per cent higher than the same period in 2018. Rainfall measured at Rocky Creek Dam (as an indicator for the region) for November and December combined was 116mm in 2018 compared to 70mm in 2019,” Mr Curran said.

“Most of the Northern Rivers is in intense drought. The Bureau of Meteorology outlook is for a drier and hotter than average summer and a delayed monsoon season.

“Water use in January is traditionally high with the summer holiday season. And despite a slight drop in demand after Level 1 water restrictions came into place, we have seen a steady increase in consumption over the last few weeks.”

Rocky Creek Dam level is currently sitting around 60 per cent dropping at a continual rate of around 2.2 per cent per week.

Rous County Council General Manager, Phillip Rudd, said the catchment continues to be particularly dry.

“The catchment area of Rocky Creek Dam has not been this dry for more than 45 years,” Mr Rudd said.

“To safeguard our drinking water supply, it is critical that we cut down on non-essential use of water. We need to ensure that both residents and visitors to the region are aware of water restrictions. Every drop of water saved adds up to make a huge difference.”

Under Level 2 restrictions, water usage must be cut by 15 per cent within a reasonable time and if there is no significant rainfall, the region may face Level 3 water restrictions. This drop is equivalent to 30 litres per person per day. This is equivalent to four minutes in the shower or two full toilet flushes.

The most significant non-essential use of water happens outdoors. Under Level 2 restrictions, gardens can be watered by watering can or bucket at any time. Hand-held hoses can only be used for 30 minutes before 9am and after 4pm, on odd or even days matching your house number. No watering will be permitted on the 31st of the month.

Significant differences from Level 1 to Level 2 water restrictions include:

 Outdoor watering duration reduced by half. Time of day and odd/even day restrictions still apply.

 Car washing duration reduced by half. Time of day and odd/even day restrictions still apply.

 Further restrictions on business water use including public and private pool top ups, vehicle washing and detailing.

 Water used for dust suppression and road construction should use non-potable water sources.

Businesses that rely on outdoor water use as part of their operations will need to contact their local council to apply for an exemption.

Fines will apply for breaches of water restrictions - $220 for residential breaches and $550 for businesses. To find out more information, go to your local government website or visit http://www.rous.nsw.gov.au/waterrestrictions

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For further information, please contact Andy Sibley, Communications and Engagement Coordinator, on 0428 305 193.

About Rous County Council Rous County Council (RCC) is a multipurpose county council delivering bulk water, weed biosecurity and flood mitigation services to the Northern Rivers of NSW. RCC’s constituent councils are Lismore, Ballina, Byron and Richmond Valley:

 Bulk water: The regional water supply authority. It provides water in bulk from its principal supply sources at Rocky Creek Dam and Emigrant Creek Dam servicing around 100,000 people.

 Weed biosecurity: The local control authority for weed biosecurity. Operations cover an area of more than a million hectares including Kyogle and Tweed shires, which are serviced by agreement with those councils.

 Flood mitigation: The flood mitigation authority across the local government areas of Ballina, Lismore and Richmond Valley.

RCC also operates Richmond Water Laboratories in Lismore, providing professional sampling and analytical testing services for water and soil to NSW councils, private industry and the public. The laboratory is National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accredited.