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Stage 3 Water Restrictions For Mitchell River Customers

East Gippsland Water has been left with no choice but to introduce Stage 3 Water Restrictions for all customers supplied by the Mitchell River from 1am on Saturday, 3 March, as bush fire debris and mud wash down the river system.

By East Gippsland Water - 2nd March 2007 - Back to News

This action, which moves the customers up from the current Stage 2 Water Restrictions, is necessary to conserve water supplies and to ensure the Authority is able to continue providing water that is safe for human consumption.

The damage caused to the river catchment by the recent bush fires and significant rain fall over past days have resulted in significant quantities of ash, bush fire debris and mud washing down the waterway. Although there has been an increase in flow, this water is highly turbid, dark brown in colour and of such poor quality that it cannot be treated and pumped to replenish storages.

That means that customers are now receiving their drinking water from the water storage at Woodglen Reservoir, which has a dwindling supply.

The Stage 3 Water Restrictions apply to Mitchell Supply System customers connected to an urban water supply serving Walpa, Lindenow South, Lindenow, Bairnsdale, Eagle Point, Newlands Arm, Raymond Island, Paynesville, Sarsfield, Bruthen, Nicholson, Johnsonville, Swan Reach, Metung, Kalimna, Lakes Entrance, Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust, Lake Tyers Beach and surrounding areas.

Said East Gippsland Water’s Chief Executive Officer, Les Mathieson: "All our Mitchell Supply System customers are being supplied from the water storage at Woodglen Reservoir, which is only sixty per cent full. We cannot divert water from the Mitchell River, because of its poor quality, to replenish the reservoir’s dwindling supply and so we have no option but to apply Stage 3 restrictions to conserve the supply we have.

"A further concern we have is that other catchments in the East Gippsland region may be feeling the affects of the recent bush fires, which could impact on the quality of water down a number of additional river systems.

"Based on our experience with the 2003 bush fires at Swifts Creek and Buchan it could take years for affected rivers to recover. It’s therefore very likely that water restrictions could continue into the long term and we would urge customers to continue doing all they can to conserve supplies.

"We are also looking at a range of contingencies to increase our water reserves.

"Needless to say, we will continue to monitor the situation closely – together with the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority and the Department of Sustainability and Environment – and will keep customers informed of developments.

The main difference between the current Stage 2 Water restrictions and the tougher Stage 3 is that sprinklers and automatic watering systems can no longer be used in private or public gardens. Also, lawn areas must not be watered.

Customers with Stage 2 exemptions should note that these no longer apply and they will now need to apply for Stage 3 exemptions.

For more information, residents can call East Gippsland Water’s hotline on 1300 720 700.

Details of the water restrictions can also be found on the Authority’s website www.egwater.vic.gov.au

WHAT ARE THE STAGE 3 RESTRICTIONS?

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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