Macleay Valley reminded to conserve water as Kempsey moves to level 2 water restrictions Media release - 24 February, 2020

Level 2 water supply restrictions are now in effect across Kempsey Shire.

These restrictions apply to the Kempsey Lower Macleay area and water supply schemes in South West Rocks, Hat Head, Crescent Head, Stuarts Point, Bellbrook and Willawarrin.

Although the move to a lower restriction level is good news and represents a significant improvement in the water supply predictions, Council is still appealing to the community not to relax in their water conservation approach.

Council’s Manager Water and Sewer, Wes Trotter, called on water users to keep up the good work of the last months.

“Across the shire we have greatly reduced our water consumption since December” Mr Trotter said.

“We watch consumption patterns very closely, as daily use is one of the two factors that decide when we can change restrictions. Level 2 represents an assessment that we have 8 months of supply at current consumption patterns.”

Council remains committed to water restrictions as a mechanism to ensure long term sustainability and asks the community to curb their water use in accordance with the Level 2 restrictions.

Under Level 2 restrictions, gardens and lawns can only be watered using hand-held hoses for 30 minutes every second day between 4pm and 9am using the ‘odds and evens’ system. No sprinklers or soaker hoses can be used.

Residents are advised to use buckets and trigger hose rinsing for washing cars, boats and trailers, limited to once a week.

The outdoor cleaning of windows, walls, roofs, gutters, driveways and paved areas is still banned, unless required as a result of an accident, emergency or health hazard.

Topping up of swimming pools is allowed by hand-held hose for a maximum of 30 minutes between 4pm and 9am on allocated ‘odds and evens’ days.

For more information go to www.kempsey.nsw.gov.au/restrictions