Swollen rivers continue to boost water supply

Welcome rainfall over the past four months has boosted the amount of water in Central Coast storages to 30 per cent, the highest level since April 2004.

Central Coast water storages dropped to a record low of 12.8 per cent on 12 February 2007, but recent rain has seen storage levels begin to recover.

In February this year storage levels reached 25.6 per cent and recent rainfall has seen storage levels increase further.

Wyong Shire Mayor, Councillor Warren Welham said that dam levels were increasing at a greater rate because of less water soaking into the ground and the community had also embraced the water conservation message.

“The sustained long-term rainfall on the Central Coast has boosted our dams to levels not seen since early 2004,“ Cr Welham said.

“After being bone dry just over 12 months ago, the ground has now absorbed as much as it can meaning any rainfall results in more run off finding its way into our rivers and dams.

“As a result we are seeing greater increases in dam levels for the same amount of rain.

“The Councils have invested over $100 million dollars on getting the Central Coast through the drought, and those investments including the Hunter Link, groundwater bores and other system upgrades have now paid off.

”This means the system is much more secure than it was when it total storage was at 30% four years ago.

“Let’s hope we get more soaking rain in the coming weeks to further boost our dam levels.”

Gosford City Mayor, Councillor Jim Macfadyen said the community were continuing to keep their water usage well below the Level 3 water restriction target.

“The community has kept its water usage at record lows for the past 18 months, this week alone usage was 42 million litres below the weekly Level 3 target and 22 million litres below the previous weekly Level 4 water restriction target for the region” said Cr Macfadyen.

“That’s 42 Olympic sized swimming pools saved in one week alone.”

The State Government recently announced that the highest number of rainwater tank rebates had been issued to Central Coast households.

Mayor Macfadyen said this was further evidence of the Central Coast community’s commitment to saving water.

“The community has embraced the water saving incentives of the two Councils and the NSW Government.

“They should be proud that they are providing such a great example for our Sydney neighbours who have just had their water restrictions relaxed.

“We are however, still only at 30 per cent capacity and must continue to ensure we keep our water usage as low as possible so our dams may continue to recover.”

Media contacts: Kylie Gillett (Gosford) on 02 4304 7068 or Hayley Schwartz (Wyong) on 02 4350 5215

Page last updated: 23/06/2008