Goulburn Valley Water and Strathbogie Shire Council allay community water concern
Strathbogie Shire Councillors and management met with Goulburn Valley Water staff last week to discuss community concerns over the current water situation.
Goulburn Valley Water's Director - Technical Services, Mr Allen Gale and Operations Manager, Mr Bruce Anderson confirmed details on security of supply for Euroa and Violet Town, the Authority's approach to water restrictions, water carting and other general items.
Goulburn Valley Water's Director - Technical Services, Mr Allen Gale, explained that the Seven Creeks and Mt Hut system that supplies water to Euroa and Violet Town is normally a very secure supply, with the Authority having an entitlement to extract more than double the amount of water required by the towns each year. "The Authority's entitlement from the Seven Creeks system is 1,990 megalitres per year and the normal consumption is around 850 megalitres per year. Storage capacity is also about 850 megalitres. In all but an extreme drought year Euroa and Violet Town residents can expect to receive an unrestricted supply."
Mr Gale explained that the Authority's current level of service objectives for maintaining an adequate supply to customers include, moderate water restrictions (Stages 1 and 2) no more than 1 year in 10 on average; and more severe water restrictions (Stages 3 and 4) no more than 1 year in 20 on average. "It is important for us to remember that this drought has been worse than a 1/100 year drought. Designing for an unrestricted supply would significantly add to water charges as much larger storages would be required."
The carting of water to Euroa and Violet Town was also discussed and Bruce Anderson, Manager - Operations, explained that the water is being carted from the Goulburn River as part of the Authority's entitlement from this system. "Adequate water is available in the Goulburn River at Seymour and Murchison so tankering it in to maintain supplies for Euroa and Violet Town residents is not difficult. Financially all of Goulburn Valley Water's consumers will share the cost."
Mr Anderson went on to explain that water carting is part of the Authority's contingency strategy for maintaining restricted water supplies for all Euroa and Violet Town residents and that similar plans are in place for other towns across the region. "The State Government requires that there are contingency plans in place and that means that we can give assurances that there will be a continuous and reliable supply."
Goulburn Valley Water reiterated that the Authority will continue to supply adequate water for customers needs and that any suggestions of needing to evacuate the towns is simply ill informed.
Strathbogie Shire Council and Goulburn Valley Water encourage residents to comply with the Stage 4 water restriction. There are over 200 towns across Victoria currently on Stage 4 water restrictions and towns such as Ballarat and Bendigo have been on Stage 4 water restrictions for approximately two years. Mr Anderson said that when flows in Seven Creeks increase the Authority will recommence diversions to supply Euroa and Violet Town. "When the main storages start to fill then water restrictions can be eased."
Mr Anderson explained that some customers may have experienced dirty water and this is because the Authority's regular water main flushing is not occurring. "Under normal circumstances we conduct regular programmed water main flushing to ensure that we minimise the chance of our customers experiencing dirty water. However, because of the current drought conditions, the Authority has stopped this program to conserve water. If you experience dirty water please call Goulburn Valley Water's 24 hour customer service centre on FREE CALL 1800 45 45 00 to report it and our maintenance staff will take appropriate action." Strathbogie Shire Council and Goulburn Valley Water are in regular contact. Residents are encouraged to contact Goulburn Valley Water direct if they have any issues concerning water, rather than ringing Council and being referred on to Goulburn Valley Water.
For more information:
Strathbogie Shire Council Marli Kelly on 0409 410 178
Goulburn Valley Water Mary Connelly-Gale on 0407 543 605 [29 March, 2007]
For details/interview call the Editor on (03) 5798 1858