Although the Board of Central Tablelands Water (CTW) endorsed a recommendation at its Council meeting last week to remain on Level 5 water restrictions across the entire CTW supply network, the water restriction level is most likely to be eased if Lake Rowlands continues to rise.
The general manager of CTW, Gavin Rhodes said, “With the level of Lake Rowlands continuing to slowly rise after recent rainfall in the catchment, water restrictions could potentially be eased much sooner rather than later. Lake Rowlands is currently sitting at 46.5% and with the catchment now saturated, each subsequent rain event in the area will continue to provide increased run-off into the dam. When and if Lake Rowlands reaches 50%, I will be recommending an easing of restrictions.”
“As the Central Tablelands region is still drought declared, as a regional water supply authority we need to continue to prudently manage our finite resource. Although the three month Bureau of Meteorology’s (BOM) rainfall outlook for the region is forecasting above median rainfall, it is critical that our focus continues to be on conserving water, with the aim of building on the Lake Rowlands storage level during Winter and Spring as much as possible prior to Summer.”
CTW’s chairman, Cr David Somervaille said, “the board and management have been extremely appreciative of our consumers continued adherence to the water restrictions put in place to manage the prolonged drought. And now that conditions are becoming more favourable, it is only fair and reasonable that we acknowledge the efforts of our consumers by relaxing the restrictions in a sustainable manner. Once again, I would like to thank our consumers for their continued understanding during this period of unprecedented drought and the importance of using water wisely,” Cr Somervaille said. Level 5 water restrictions for the entire CTW supply network came into effect from 5th April 2020.