5 May 2020
Stage 2 water restrictions in Euroa and Violet Town have been lifted after being in place for more than a year, thanks to a boost in water storages following last week’s significant rainfall.
Restrictions will ease back to Permanent Water Saving Rules from 1am on Thursday, May 7, 2020.
With more than 130mm of rain recorded at the Waterhouse reservoir monitoring station in the past week, both Waterhouse and Mountain Hut reservoirs are now spilling significantly for the first time in a long time – since about mid to late 2018.
Additional inflows are also being captured and stored in the two Abbinga reservoirs, with levels expected to be further boosted with forecast winter rains and continuing flows in the Seven Creeks.
Stage 2 water restrictions were introduced on April 11, 2019, after consecutive dry winters and warm summers, which had prompted high ongoing water demand in some areas.
In December, January and February, Euroa and Violet Town residents used 237 megalitres of water under Stage 2 water restrictions, compared to 306ML in summer 2018-19 - a decrease of 29%.
GVW’s General Manager – Service Delivery Daniel Flanagan said easing restrictions would hopefully provide relief for residents and businesses.
“I’d like to recognise the patience from the Euroa and Violet Town communities, these restrictions have been in place for a long time and we appreciate everyone’s understanding,” he said.
“We know that longer-term restrictions can be inconvenient, but your efforts to adopt water saving habits during the past 13 months have helped to ensure the security of the water supply during another dry winter and warm summer.
“Our storage levels are recovering with ongoing rainfall and water conservation efforts, and restrictions are being replaced with the Permanent Water Saving Rules.”
Key water saving measures under the Permanent Water Saving Rules include:
- watering your lawns or garden with a leak-free hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle at any time, or using a watering system only between 6pm and 10am
- using a broom or a blower to clean hard surfaces
- using a bucket, or leak-free hose fitted with a trigger nozzle to wash cars.
GVW will continue to closely monitor storage inflows and demand levels and advise customers of any changes.
In the past year, GVW has implemented a number of programs to boost the system and ease the pressure on the drinking water systems, including carting potable water, providing raw water to irrigate sports ovals and a large leak investigation program.
Construction of a second reservoir at the Abbinga storage, and refurbishment works on the original storage completed last year will also help boost the long-term water security of the region.
Find out more about Permanent Water Saving Rules here.