Call to Myrtleford community for water conservation to avoid
potential restrictions
12 May 2025
North East Water is calling on Myrtleford residents to reduce
their water use as ongoing dry conditions, low stream flows and reduced raw
water storage levels point to possible water restrictions in the coming months.
The town’s water supply, sourced from Buffalo Creek, is part
of the unregulated Ovens and King rivers system, which heavily relies on
natural rainfall and climate conditions.
General Manager Environment, Systems & Operations, John
Day, said Myrtleford was particularly vulnerable during dry periods.
“When flows in Buffalo Creek fall below 4.5 megalitres per
day, we need to stop water extraction to protect the health of the river
system”, Mr Day said.
“This threshold has been reached multiple times already this
year, often for extended periods, highlighting the challenges of our current
water source.”
Storage levels reflect not only the recent dry months, but
also the impacts of a drier-than-average summer in 2023–24, followed by a
winter period in which storages were not fully replenished. Further compounding
the issue, water demand in Myrtleford rose above the five-year average from
January to March this year.
“The Bureau of Meteorology’s long-range forecast suggests there
is potential for continued dry periods in the coming months,” Mr Day said.
How can the community help?
To avoid restrictions for Myrtleford, North East Water is seeking the community's help to reduce household water use.
“Specifically, we are
aiming for a 14% reduction in town water use to 1,300,000 litres per day,” Mr
Day said. “To meet this target, residential usage needs to reduce to 505 litres
per household per day. Currently average household water usage per day is 590
litres per household.
“If we see a strong community response to reducing demand, we
may be able to avoid restrictions or delay their implementation,” Mr Day said.
“We know from experience that communities respond best when supported to make
positive changes, rather than being subject to restrictions.”
North East Water’s voluntary
reduction period will run from now until mid-June 2025 to allow the community
to respond to and sustain reduced water use.
“We’re encouraging
everyone to continue following the Permanent Water Saving Rules which are in
place across Victoria, and also explore additional ways to reduce water
usage at home and in gardens,” Mr Day said.
“We know from experience
that communities respond best when empowered to make positive changes, rather
than being subject to restrictions, and we’re confident that Myrtleford will get
behind this effort and prove that we can all take action to save water.”
For tips on how to save water and information about Permanent
Water Saving Rules and what water restrictions could entail, visit North East
Water’s dedicated water conservation website, www.waterwise.tips. Customers can also view the town’s daily performance and weekly water
use scorecard at www.waterwise.tips/myrtleford.
ENDS