News - Bega Merimbula Eden Bermagui Tathra Pambula

Bega Valley Shire Council will introduce level 2 water restrictions in the southern half of the shire because of the decrease in Yellow Pinch Dam storage level and the continuing dry conditions.

Yellow Pinch Dam has fallen to 65% of capacity, the primary trigger for water restrictions for users of water from the Tantawanglo-Kiah water supply system.

The restrictions will come into effect Wednesday, December 2, for Candelo, Wolumla, Tura Beach, Merimbula, Pambula Beach, Pambula, South Pambula, Eden and Boydtown and all rural properties with a water connection to the trunk main network.

Under Level 2 water restrictions, only one hand-held hose per property may be used outdoors under an ‘odds and evens’ system between 6am and 8am and between 6pm and 8pm.

Anyone using a hand-held hose outside of the permitted hours, or on an odd date for a property with an even numbered street address, or on an even date for a property with an odd numbered street address, will be in breach of the restrictions.

The use of fixed sprinklers and unattended hoses, the watering of paved areas and the use of micro and drip irrigation systems are all not permitted.

Mayor Tony Allen said “water stored in Yellow Pinch Dam had been vital to supply this year given the lack of water available from Tantawanglo Creek weir and water restrictions are now necessary to reduce usage of the remaining volume”.

“Additionally, the water supplied from the Kiah borefield in the south continues to be very important with water restrictions necessary now to conserve water supplied from the southern source and the volume stored in Ben Boyd Dam.

“Council appreciates the good will and co-operation people usually show when water restrictions are introduced and apologises for any inconvenience caused,” Cr Allen said.

More information about water restrictions is available by phoning Council’s water information line on 6499 2320

In the northern half of the Shire, Water Wise Rules will be introduced on Wednesday, December 2, pending a decision at the Council meeting on tomorrow (Tuesday, December 1).

Water Wise Rules are simple, common sense, every day actions for users of town water.

They include fixed sprinklers should not be used in the heat of the day (no use between 10 am and 5 pm), no overspray water from garden watering is to run on to hard surface areas and vehicles and boats should only be washed on grassed areas with a bucket, with a hand-held hose used only to rinse.

Water Wise Rules will apply to Bega, North Bega, Tarraganda, Kalaru, Tathra, Mogareeka, Quaama, Cobargo, Bermagui, Beauty Point, Wallaga Lake, Bemboka and all rural properties with a water connection to the trunk main networks in the northern half of the shire.

More information about Water Wise Rules is available by phoning Council’s water information line on 6499 2320.