Published: 20 November 2023

Eurobodalla will move to Level 1 water restrictions from Saturday 2 December.

Eurobodalla Council’s director of infrastructure Graham Attenborough said current dry conditions were predicted to continue, making the move to low-level water restrictions prudent.

“Although our water storage at Deep Creek Dam remains full, water in the Deua and Tuross Rivers is falling. Unless we get consistent and significant rain before Christmas we will be unable to pump enough from the rivers to match demand. Water restrictions help ensure supply over our busy Christmas period,” Mr Attenborough said.

Eurobodalla’s water supply is in two parts. Between February and November, the whole shire is supplied by the northern system, drawing water from the Deua River to store at Deep Creek Dam and feed the northern water treatment plant. However, during the Christmas holiday period demand for water can exceed the 20 megalitres/day capacity the northern plant can supply; an extra 4 megalitres/day is added from the southern system by drawing water from the Tuross River to feed the southern water treatment plant.

Mr Attenborough said Council encouraged residents and visitors to conserve water at all times.

“Level 1 water restrictions simply formalise the basic water-saving measures we should all be practicing,” he said.

Under Level 1 water restrictions, washing down hard surfaces like paths and driveways, and the use of sprinklers, micro-spray systems and unattended hoses is banned. Instead, gardens can be watered between 5pm and 10am using a hand-held hose or drip-irrigations system. Private vehicles can be washed using buckets, with a final rinse by trigger-nozzle hose, between 5pm and 10am. Washing watercraft, trailers and vehicles at boat ramps is banned and boat motors must be flushed on grass.

Unless there is significant rain before mid-December it is likely Level 2 water restrictions will in place over the peak summer period, along with an information campaign directed at visitors alerting them to water restrictions.

Mr Attenborough said constructing the $130 million Southern Water Supply Storage – with its 3,000 megalitre dam in the shire’s south – was a priority for Council.

“The southern dam will go a long way to securing Eurobodalla’s water supply into the future. We’re on track for a late 2024 completion but significant rain to fill it will be required before it becomes fully operational and integrated,” Mr Attenborough said.

“In the meantime, we will continue to use water restrictions as needed to maintain supply capacity and ensure adequate storage. I encourage the community to stay up-to-date on current water restrictions by visiting Council’s website or calling the water hotline on 1800 441 070.”

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