Towns not about to run dry

Goulburn Valley Water says it won't allow supplies in Euroa and Violet Town to fall short

Consumption falls

Goulburn Valley Water's 2007-08 annual report has revealed that water consumption throughout the region dropped by 10 per cent from 2006-07. The report attributed the decrease to changing community attitudes to water use and stage one water restrictions, which have been in place across all catchments for most of the year. Residential customers recorded the greatest decline in consumption levels, dropping by 18 per cent.

• For the full report, visit Annual Report 0708

Goulburn Valley Water yesterday assured Euroa and Violet Town residents their water supply was not in danger of running dry this summer.

The water authority issued a plea to residents of the two towns to remain vigilant in their conservation habits in light of this year's extremely dry spring, but Goulburn Valley Water technical services general manager Allen Gale said there was no risk water would again have to be trucked in to bolster supplies.

"It's a precautionary measure: flows into Seven Creeks (catchment) have dropped below 10 Ml per day. so we are relying entirely on water storages for the towns," he said.

Read Kim Stephens report in the Shepparton News. click image

"We got caught out in 2006 and we learned from that and have been maintaining the capacity much higher than in 2006.

"That gives us a buffer but we do have to rely on that water earlier than usual, it hasn't been a good spring."

Mr Gale said the three storages in the Seven Creeks system were at 91 per cent capacity, compared to just 68 per cent iin 2006.

He said that gave the authoriiy about 760 Ml to supply the two towns, which he said used about 700 Ml annually.

"We will be monitoring and increasing water restriction levels at appropriate times to increase water restrictions." he said.

"But they won't be going up in the near future. "Mr Gale said Euroa and Violet Town were on stage one restrictions but urged residents to maintain water conservation measures.

Goulburn Valley Water managing director Peter Quinn said such measures were vital to prevent severe restrictions.

"At this point in time it is really important for the residents in Euroa and Violet Town to re-introduce their water conservation habits from 2006 and use their water wisely as this will help avoid more severe restrictions." he said.

Stage one water restrictions mean that:

Manual watering systems may be used between 6 am and 8 am and 7 pm and 9 pm on alternate days, and;
Automatic watering systems may be used between midnight and 4 am on alternate days.

Mr Gale insisted there was no need for residents to panic. "GV Water has its contingency plans in place one of the first steps to raise awareness." he said.