26 February 2020
A new arrangement in place by Goulburn Valley Water will see local sporting grounds and parks watered with raw water, rather than using the limited supply of treated drinking water.
It’s designed to help Euroa retain critical green community spaces while under Stage 2 water restrictions, which limit the ability to water lawns, public places and sporting fields.
Ongoing dry conditions, resulting in limited to no inflows into storages, combined with some pockets of continued high-water demand, mean restrictions are likely to stay in place in coming months.
Goulburn Valley Water Manager Operations Steven Nash said it was a win for the community and for continually declining water storage levels.
“We understand how much communities value having green spaces, particularly for recreation, and we’ve been looking at ways we can help to provide them without impacting on lowering water storage levels,” he said.
“Using raw or untreated water takes the pressure off the area’s precious drinking water supply and will position us better in coming months, particularly if there’s below-average rainfall through autumn.”
A contractor will tanker raw water to water several selected sites in Euroa, including the recently redeveloped Friendlies Oval, Memorial Oval, Euroa Tennis Club, Euroa Bowling Club and the Euroa Saleyards. The tankered water is safe to use for this purpose.
The first loads of tankered water were delivered last week and will continue with several tanker loads weekly as required during the next couple of months.
Whilst raw water is being supplied to water public spaces, reducing water resources make it
necessary to temporarily close the Euroa and Violet Town standpipes so that the towns' potable water supply can be conserved.
The standpipes will be closed until further notice from Thursday 27 February.
Mr Nash said “The decision to close the standpipes has not been taken lightly and we have waited as long as possible before doing so, however our priority is to maintain the treated drinking water supply to Euroa and Violet Town residents”.
“We are sorry for the inconvenience and thank standpipe users for their cooperation” he said.
Water can be sourced from standpipes at locations in neighbouring towns, including Shepparton, Seymour, Nagambie and Murchison. You can find information on standpipe locations at https://www.gvwater.vic.gov.au/business/standpipes
While recent rainfall has been welcomed, Bureau of Meteorology predicts that several months of above average rainfall will be needed to relieve drought-affected and dry areas. GVW is also urging residents to continue making every drop count and conserve water as much as possible.
“We want to thank residents for their fantastic efforts so far, but our water storages are declining quickly, and we really need everyone’s help to reduce or maintain lower levels of water use so we can avoid introducing higher levels of restrictions,” Mr Nash said.
Planning is already underway on a new project to install a Class B recycled water standpipe in town to help relieve the pressure on drinking water supplies in future.
Water was sourced in late 2019 from Polly McQuinns weir on the Sevens Creek to supplement supplies, however this is not a sustainable water supply option, and GVW is very mindful of the overall health of the creek system.
GVW will continue looking for alternative water supply options and has recently finished upgrades in Euroa and Violet Town to allow for water carting access in the future if required.
Media contact Goulburn Valley Water:
Jenna Bishop
Phone: (03) 5832 4860
Email: jennab@gvwater.vic.gov.au