North East Water

North East Water has eased water restrictions back to its Permanent Water Savings Plan (PWSP) in its Murray River system towns, effective from 1 January 2010.

The Corporation’s Board yesterday endorsed reverting from stage 1 restrictions to the PWSP in Tallangatta, Wodonga, Baranduda, Kiewa, Tangambalanga, Chiltern, Barnawartha, Rutherglen, Wahgunyah, Yarrawonga, Tungamah, St James and Devenish.

Executive Operations manager, Fiona Smith, said the decision would increase flexibility for customers.

“The Board felt confident that with the adjusted levels of conservation that communities have been displaying, the increased flexibility was not likely to lead to a significant increase in consumption,” she said.

“It follows our principle that we shouldn’t hold restrictions at a harsher level than they need to be, and the resource situation along the Murray now supports the change.”

Ms Smith said the allocation for Murray River diverters had recently been increased to 60%.

“This means we have enough water for the 2009-10 season, with significant carryover into the following year,” she said.

“For the last three months, our Murray River communities’ usage have consistently been tracking at 11% below our consumptions forecasts, which we see as evidence that people are continuing to embrace the conservation challenge.

“Naturally we would like to see these efforts continue, but we also want to offer customers as much flexibility as the resource allows to keep their gardens and towns attractive.

“We understand that the rostering of watering hours through restrictions causes inconvenience for a lot of people, so if we are able to remove that inconvenience, it can only benefit the community.”

Under permanent water saving rules:

• No watering systems or sprinkers between 10am and 5pm
• No hosing of paths, driveways and other impervious surfaces
• Use a trigger nozzle when washing vehicles.