DUE to the low rainfall in the catchment areas and falling river levels residents in Casino and surrounds who receive a town water supply will be subject to level one water restrictions from Wednesday 16 January.
Level one water restrictions are triggered when the flow in the Richmond River falls to 25ML/day or less, which requires Richmond Valley Council to consider appropriate mitigation measures. With 99 percent of the State in drought and no significant predicted rainfall, Council is implementing level one restrictions early in an attempt to preserve our precious water resource.
Rous County Council supplies the Mid Richmond towns of Coraki, Woodburn, Evans Head, Broadwater and Riley’s Hill, and advises via its website that level one water restrictions will be introduced when the water level in Rocky Creek Dam falls below 60 percent. It currently sits at 89 percent.
A summary of level one water restrictions are:
Sprinklers and fixed hoses are banned between 8am and 4pm. Exemptions for sprinkler use (up to two hours a day) is allowed for essential businesses, such as nurseries, or where business hours dictate water use like schools, public gardens, sportsgrounds.
There are no water usage restrictions on local businesses NCMC, Norco, Holcim and others who require water as part of their essential business activities. Nor are there any restrictions on stock watering.