Warrumbungle Council: Water restrictions rolled out in Coonabarabran, Mendooran, Binnaway, Merrygoen

A NSW council is pleading with residents to turn off their taps amid fears of water shortages, as neighbouring communities see water restrictions imposed. Here’s what it means for you.

A council in the state’s central west is encouraging residents to turn off taps and running water systems for five hours to raise awareness of water usage in the region.

Dubbo Regional Council has called on locals to sign their household up for this year’s Water Night on October 19, from 5pm to 10pm during National Water Week.

Operational manager for water supply and sewage Bec Eade said the evening is a “great conversation starter” for families about the importance of water and to be mindful of water usage.

“With the forecast for drier conditions this summer it is essential we look at ways to conserve water as a community,” Ms Eade said.

If everyone makes one or two small changes at home, it will make a big difference overall.

Dubbo Regional Council offices. Picture: Ryan Young

“This could be as simple as taking shorter showers, making sure your dishwasher is full when you turn it on, turning the tap off when you brush your teeth and watering your garden in the coolest part of the day such as the early morning or evening.

“Water Night is designed to be the start of long-term behaviour change and for residents to build their water literacy and awareness, and ultimately help Australians value water more as a vital resource.

Litres for the Land Picture: Toby Zerna

The plea comes as neighbouring Warrumbungle Council has introduced level 1 water restrictions to four towns, including Binnaway, Coonabarabran, Mendooran and Merrygoen which came into effect on October 10.

Timor Dam, which is Coonabarabran’s main water catchment, has fallen to 70 per cent, triggering the local town’s water supply.

Council is urging residents to only use watering systems, non-fixed sprinklers, handheld hoses, microsprays, drip systems and soaker hoses between 6pm and 9am daily.

Washing of cars is permitted with buckets only and rinsed with trigger hose only at any time.

Council staff said the target water consumption is 260 litres per person, per day.

Dubbo Council’s water supply and sewage strategy manager Chris Godfrey said residents should not be concerned about water restrictions as the council’s catchment, Burrendong Dam, is 85 per cent.

Burrendong Dam when it was at 5.2 per cent capacity. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“The community of the Dubbo region is already fairly mindful of water consumption – we live in an arid environment, so people are aware water is a finite resource,” Mr Godfrey said.

The council received a $30 million grant from the Department of Planning and Environment in 2019 to expand access to groundwater in Dubbo, Wellington and Geurie.

“We are essentially building additional water production water supply bores in those communities with the intention of supplying additional groundwater when needed,” he said.