Water restrictions revised to level one for Emerald, Blackwater and Bluff

Water restrictions in Emerald, Blackwater and Bluff will decrease to level one from 15 January 2021.

Mayor Kerry Hayes said despite the Fairbairn Dam hovering just above the level zero trigger of 13 percent at the time of writing, a conservative approach was appropriate.

‘I have been advised that some inflow is still occurring and there is an expectation that the dam may reach 14 percent based on that inflow,’ Mayor Hayes said.

‘And this is where we see the need for some flexibility in determining the restriction levels and it is prudent that we wait to see what the season brings rather than reducing restrictions for these towns to level zero.

‘I encourage people to not let the horse bolt through the gate and continue using water smartly and applying those conservation measures they have implemented over the past month, particularly as we begin to water our lawns again.’

Mayor Hayes said that while parts of the Central Highlands’ catchments had received good rainfall, it was not drought-breaking and some places missed out.

‘Capella Creek hasn’t received enough to allow council to harvest water for the town’s storage dam,’ he said.

‘It will be monitored closely, and council will inform the community should water restrictions change for Capella.’

Tieri water restrictions will remain at level one to assist with ongoing maintenance work at the water treatment plant.

These restrictions apply to the use of urban treated and raw water. They do not apply to:

More information and a guide to water use under restriction levels.