Dam levels low in Guyra as drought bites

The prolonged dry conditions are set to continue in our region with the Bureau of Meteorology predicting average rainfall for winter. Armidale Regional Council is encouraging Guyra residents and businesses to be water wise as dam levels fall to 65 percent.

Council is keeping a watchful eye on dam levels and is asking residents to do the same when it comes to their water consumption. Rainfall leading up to Christmas was normal but rain since then has been consistently below average, with total rainfall just half what normally falls from January to May  (200mm vs 400mm).

Armidale Regional Council Mayor Cr Simon Murray said it was important that the Guyra community take Council’s warnings seriously and implement water saving measures.

“From taking shorter showers to only using a handheld hose for the garden, can make a considerable impact on reducing the town’s water usage,” said Cr Murray.

“If we don’t get rain soon we will be moving into level 2 water restrictions in Guyra.”

At 75 square kms in area the catchment for Guyra’s dams is large compared to the storage capacity, so even modest rainfall will refill the dams.  Given the Bureau of Metrology forecast Council is being conservative and anticipates water restriction will need to be introduced in Guyra.

Restrictions to ban fixed sprinklers and limit hose watering to two hours/day, are proposed to be introduced when the dams reaches 60 percent. Costa’s are providing their forecast winter water usage for their tomato farm and are cooperating with Council.

Council will be actively promoting water saving initiatives in Guyra over the next month. We all need to play our part and spread the water wise message.

Published on 07 Jun 2018