Water restrictions imposed after big rain

Central Coast Council applied water restrictions on Monday, February 10, after falls of 57.8mm and 117.4mm were recorded on the previous Saturday and Sunday.

Announcing the restrictions, Council director Mr Jamie Loader said storage in Mangrove Creek Dam was 50.09 percent, just above the 50 percent trigger set by Council with the level expected to dip below 50 percent.

Mr Loader said restrictions would not be lifted until Mangrove Creek Dam's storage rose above 52 percent.

However, that situation lasted less than 24 hours.

Figures released on the Council's website showed that the dam water level had risen to 53.25 per cent by the Monday night.

On Tuesday, the Council raised the threshold to 55 per cent before lifting restrictions.

Mr Loader said the restrictions complemented Council's ongoing investment in water infrastructure which had put the region in a strong position to face a prolonged drought.

"Level 1 restrictions will support this water conservation and help us to potentially avoid Level 4 or 5 restrictions and their very stringent measures."

He said restrictions applied to all outdoor water use, including water from urban rainwater tanks which are connected to, or topped-up by, town drinking water, and exemptions would only be available in limited circumstances.

Mayor Cr Lisa Matthews urged residents to continue to limit their water use to a maximum of 150 litres per person per day.

Under Level 1 restrictions, outdoor watering must be by watering can, bucket or a hose with a trigger nozzle, gardens and lawns may only be watered before 10am or after 4pm, vehicles must be washed on the lawn and paths, driveways and buildings must be swept and not washed.

Fixed sprinklers and micro sprays may not be used.

SOURCE

Media release, 7 Feb 2020

Jamie Loader, Central Coast Council