news, local-news, water, supply, dilly, drought, drive, wollondilly, counci, jai rowell

Wollondilly Council has joined a chorus of drought-relief campaigners and residents who have called for water restrictions to be implemented now. Councillors discussed the need for water restrictions at the last council meeting. Council staff will write a letter to the state government and Sydney Water requesting it evaluate the need for water restrictions. Councillor Matt Gould said he had recently visited Warragamba Dam and described the drop in water as “scary” and knew the drop at Upper Nepean dams was more dramatic. “We have farmers that are going through the worst drought in living memory for most of them,” he said. “It is only appropriate to be doing what we can to preserve water because otherwise it is rubbing it in their faces. “Water is such a precious resource. “We need to get a lot smarter in how we use this resource. It is limited. “It is on us to make sure we are encouraging people to appropriately use that resource.” Blair Brigs said the call for water restrictions was a “good move” and a “step in the right direction” because it was making people think about how they use water and what they use it on. In an Advertiser Facebook poll nearly 1000 people believe water restrictions be implemented now. A closed water system from Cordeaux, Cataract, Nepean and Avon dams supply water to Campbelltown, Camden and Wollondilly homes. The average dam level for the Upper Nepean dams is 47 per cent. The latest total water supply across Sydney dams is sitting at 65 per cent. Water restrictions will be imposed across Sydney if the Sydney dam level average fell to 50 per cent. Dilly Drought Drive organiser Sharon Robertson has been calling for water restrictions to be implemented since May. “If Sydney Water puts sensible water restrictions in place now then people can get used to them before we get into an emergency situation with our water supply and really harsh restrictions,” she said. “No water authority will definitively say what will happen when our Macarthur water supply runs out. “There is also a much higher chance we will go into an El Nino weather pattern which will mean four to seven years of warmer weather. “Our water is getting more and more scarce.” A Sydney Water spokeswoman said the water authority was working with WaterNSW to balance dam water storages. “We’ll continue to do this through the drought,” she said. “Greater Sydney has a secure and affordable water supply system. “Restrictions aren’t required until total dam storage is below 50 per cent. “Currently, WaterNSW advises that total dam levels are two-thirds full.” Wollondilly MP Jai Rowell has called for calm and said he was listening to the advice from WaterNSW and Sydney Water, which have water restriction policies in place. “I understand that people are concerned,” he said. “But we have more than a year’s worth of water. “There is no threat to Sydney’s water supply. It is being monitored every day. “I’m encouraging people to do the right thing and use water wisely.” WaterNSW spokesman told the Advertiser earlier this month that Sydney had a highly secure water supply system that was “designed to handle drought conditions”. “Even under continued drought conditions, Sydney has years of supply remaining – including the Macarthur area,” he said. “There are a number of emergency options available should the drought continue beyond what the system was designed to handle.” But Mrs Robertson said she was not convinced and still had many questions about Macarthur’s water supply that needed to be answered. “More and more water is being pumped each day by water carriers,” she said. “Those on tank water and those who have farm animals are using extra water. “The Drive is giving about 200,000 litres of water a week to 10 local farmers. “It all adds up.” The Sydney Water spokeswoman said there were “common sense” actions people could take to reduce the amount of water they used. Some examples of Water Wise tips are having a full load before turning on the dishwater and washing machine, reducing a shower by one minute each day which can save over 3,000 litres a year and watering gardens using a trigger nozzle in the early morning or evening to reduce water loss through evaporation. More water wise tips are available on Sydney Water’s website.

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