9 January 2020
Goulburn Valley Water is urging residents to ensure they make every drop of water count this summer, with temperatures again predicted to be warmer and drier than average.
Permanent Water Saving Rules are in place across the state, and residents are being urged to be water wise and consider how much water they’re using around the home.
Water demand is already trending higher than in previous years - last month we delivered 3545 megalitres of water, the highest volume since 2015/16 and a 19 per cent increase on the December delivery total in 2018. Residents used on average 530 litres per person, per day in December 2019, compared with 434 in December 2018.
In November, we delivered 2779 megalitres, which is the highest volume of water produced in November in the past five years. In November, residents across the Goulburn Valley used 415 litres per person, per day – averaged across the region and month.
Goulburn Valley Water Managing Director Peter Quinn said it was everyone’s responsibility to use water wisely and sustainably.
“Our climate is changing and we can’t rely on rainfall like in the past, so we need everyone to adopt an ‘every drop counts’ approach to using water,” he said.
“If everyone takes action to reduce their water usage and make little changes around the household, the water savings will add up – together, we can make a difference.
“With the changing climatic conditions we’re experiencing in Northern Victoria, water conservation is more important than ever and we all have a role to play to ensure its sustainability for future generations.
“We’re asking people to be conscious of where they’re using water and look at how they can reduce that – there are plenty of options to reduce water use that won’t impact on your lifestyle, but can easily save bucketloads.
“Check for leaks and fix dripping taps, use a pool cover to reduce evaporation, turn the tap off while you’re brushing your teeth and catch water in a basin while washing vegetables – there’s plenty of ways you can make a difference.”
Stage 2 water restrictions have been in place for Euroa and Violet Town since April, and restrictions were lifted in Kilmore, Heathcote Junction and Wandong last month.
“A lot of our towns in southern and south-eastern regions rely on water sourced from reservoirs, and those storages have experienced lower inflows in the past two years as a result of a warmer and drier climate,” Mr Quinn said.
People can make sure every drop of water they use counts by following the Permanent Water Saving Rules, which includes watering the garden between 6pm and 10am, using a blower or a
broom to clean hard surfaces, and use a bucket and a leak-free hose fitted with a trigger nozzle to wash vehicles.
“People in the Goulburn Valley showed some excellent water saving behaviours during the Millennium Drought – now is the time to reintroduce your greywater system and other water saving measures.”
“Simple things around the home can save hundreds of litres per day – cutting your shower down to four minutes can save 40 litres a day and turning the tap off while you brush your teeth will help save 10 litres a minute.”
People can find more information and tips and tricks to save water, including information on the Victorian Government’s Target Your Water Use program at this link.
