More heat and little rain are expected over the coming week. Photo: James Coleman.
Low rainfall and dropping dam levels have triggered water restrictions in southern NSW.
Yass Valley Council has announced level one water restrictions will be in effect from Wednesday (25 February).
Mayor Jasmin Jones said the introduction of restrictions was a necessary and proactive step to protect the community’s water supply.
“With the recent hot weather and continued dry conditions forecast, it is important that we act now to ensure we can maintain a reliable water supply for residents should these conditions persist,” she said.
“We will continue to closely monitor dam levels and anticipate the water system will soon be replenished with autumn’s expected seasonal rainfall.”
Level one restrictions focus on reducing non-essential outdoor water use.
This includes people being asked to limit their sprinkler use, household car washing, filling of their pool and hosing of hard surfaces.
The introduction of the restrictions follows Yass Dam’s water level falling below 81 per cent this week.
According to the live tracker, the dam’s storage was at about 88.50 per cent as of 27 January.
“Yass Valley Council uses data from the weather forecast, dam levels and trend in water consumption rates to determine the necessary level of water restriction and duration,” a council spokesperson said.
“When there is significant rainfall that results in an increase in the water storage level of the dam over and above 81 per cent, water restrictions will be eased.”
The restrictions apply to all customers connected to the Yass water supply network, including those in Yass and the village areas of Murrumbateman, Bowning and Binalong.
The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting ongoing warm and dry weather over the coming week.
Temperatures are set to hover in the mid to high 20s, before dropping to about 13 or 14 degrees overnight.
This is expected to increase water demand and accelerate evaporation.
It means sprinklers, including pop-ups, micro-sprays, handheld hoses and drippers, can only be used every second day, between 6 and 9 pm, on set days.
Odd-numbered houses are permitted to water on odd-numbered days, while even-numbered houses can water on even-numbered days.
Households occupied by elderly residents only may water in the morning between 7 and 10 am on alternate days.
The restrictions also mean the following activities are affected:
- Car washing is limited to once a week (on grass) with specific nozzles or a high-pressure/low-volume cleaner, though this does not restrict commercial car washing facilities
- Pools can only be topped up with hoses (pool covers are also encouraged)
- Public parks, ovals and gardens will be watered at the minimum needed level for sustainability
- Gardens can be watered, but this must be done with a watering can or bucket.
Sections of the Snowy Mountains have moved into further restrictions this week.
A spokesperson for Snowy Monaro Regional Council said further action was needed to protect Nimmitabel’s main water source.
“Water levels and the rate of waterflow in the Maclaughlin River have dropped, triggering the implementation of level two water restrictions,” a spokesperson said.
“These restrictions apply to all properties connected to the Nimmitabel town water supply.”
These changes mean fixed sprinklers, in-ground water systems (including soaker hoses and micro-spray systems) are no longer allowed.
People are also barred from topping up private pools and hosing down paved areas, such as their driveways.
However, the following uses are still allowed:
- Watering lawns and gardens with a handheld hose
- Washing vehicles by hand with a bucket, but the car must be on grass (a final rinse with a handheld trigger hose is also allowed)
- Bowling greens can use fixed sprinklers and in-ground watering systems for a maximum of one hour per day.
“Further restrictions may be required if water levels and flow rate in the Maclaughlin River continue to decline,” the spokesperson said.
