STANDARDISED WATER RESTRICTIONS ACROSS THE LOWER MACQUARIE WATER ALLIANCE COUNCILS

Council are an active member of the Lower Macquarie Water Utilities Alliance Councils which comprises of; Dubbo, Wellington, Narromine, Bogan, Warren, Cobar, Bourke and Brewarrina Councils.

Water restrictions are obviously a very political subject and the issues surrounding water restrictions through the 2008/09 summer season highlighted the differences in definitions of each level across NSW and also in Victoria.

The intent of the Alliance is to ensure best practice management is being implemented across the member Councils and to demonstrate to the State Government that each of the Alliance members are committed to working together towards water reform that the State Government are requesting and ensuring that each Council retains its ownership of the water and sewerage operations.

Council at its September Ordinary Council meeting adopted standardised definitions of water restrictions which are now consistent across the entire the Lower Macquarie Water Alliance Councils.

There are five levels consisting of’

Level 1 Low

Level 2 Moderate

Level 3 High

Level 4 Very High

Level 5 Critical

The implementation of level 1, 2 or in fact level 5 at Dubbo or another member Council within the Alliance DOES NOT mean that Narromine Shire Council is required to impose the same restriction. The intent is to maintain the same definition of water restrictions across the Alliance Councils. The trigger for, implementing water restrictions within Narromine Shire Council is driven through Councils drought Management Plan, or an infrastructure break causing a water supply problem.

 Further information on the water restriction definitions may be obtained by contacting Council during normal business hours.