Region galvanised on its quest to save water

A significant achievement has been met this month as the Armidale region is now meeting the level 5 trigger 1 target of 160 litres per person per day. In-fact that number has been bettered with average per person usage around 150 litres.

Council has been monitoring usage since level 5 restrictions were announced for the Armidale region in October and have witnessed a steady decrease from an average of 180 litres before October.

Armidale Regional Council Mayor Cr Simon Murray said meeting our water target was a huge step in ensuring we do everything possible to prolong our supply until meaningful rain falls and dams begin to fill.

“Tough times like our region is experiencing now with extreme drought conditions, bushfires and pressures on water supplies often unite a community into action,” said Cr Murray.

“As great as this result is for our region we must all continue to conserve as much water as possible. Unfortunately the extreme heat, accompanied by the high winds that we have experienced has increased the rate of evaporation at the dam, so it is imperative we continue to save water.”

Since level 5 restriction were introduced in the region Council has actioned a drought management communications and engagement plan to educate and inform the community by implementing education campaigns, auditing programs, rebates, leak detection and sustainable water management practises.

“Council has directed considerable resources into this program and it’s really showing results,” said Cr Murray.

“I cannot thank residents, businesses and organisations enough for their commitment to water conservation and the positive response to our outreach and communications. Sharing the responsibility with our community is critical to our success is staving off our day zero.”

Currently our water supply day zero is at 350 days. By reaching the level 5 trigger 1 target the community has added another 23 days and extended our supplies until December 2020, 373 days from today. Since water restriction commenced earlier this year we have saved a total of 209 days on our average usage from 2018.

“This is great news,” said Cr Murray. “But we cannot afford to take our foot off the pedal and be complacent, especially over the Christmas and New Year period.”

Changing our perceptions about water and implementing rigorous water conservation will continue to do more than any other short term initiative to extend the remaining supply. 

“Whatever the outcome is for bore testing, ground water will only ever be supplementary for a population our size,” said Cr Murray.

A summer Water Wise newsletter has been distributed to all residents and ongoing promotion and water patrols will continue.

Further tips and information about water saving initiatives are available here or follow us on facebook, twitter or instagram. Subscribe to Council’s fortnightly e-news on the Council homepage and Council advertises regularly in the local newspapers and on radio.

A litre saved today is another litre for tomorrow!

Published on 23 Dec 2019