With water becoming the new gold, parts of the Northern Rivers have just been put on Level 1 water restrictions, but in Tyalgum, residents have been on severe water restrictions since 24 November.
The town has been on Level 4 restrictions and now saving water has become part of life.
Water consumption in the area has dropped from a high of 196 litres per person per day to 125 litres per person per day (target is 126 litres).
Tweed Council’s Manager Water and Wastewater Anthony Burnham has extended his congratulations and thanks Tyalgum residents for taking this water challenge seriously. ‘Tyalgum is a great example to the rest of us in the Tweed who are just finishing our first week of the less onerous Level 2 water restrictions,’ he said.
‘We’re all in this together and while our early consumption figures look promising, we have a long way to go to make sure we’re making our limited water supply last longer.
‘Mr Burnham says Council wants to encourage all residents to chat to their neighbours and visitors to ensure that the Save Water Now message is heard by everyone in the Tweed.
‘If we can get maximum traction on saving water now, we will achieve a much longer life for our limited water supply.’
Mr Burnham also appealed to all businesses to do their bit and reduce their water consumption as much as possible.
‘While businesses enjoy some exemptions under water restrictions, we are asking them all to respond fully in the spirit of community to use as little as possible.’
As a business, Council is making every effort to reduce its water consumption by:
- not washing fleet vehicles and plant and equipment except those elements needed to meet roadworthy or legal requirements, such as number plates, windows and mirrors, auxiliary amber lighting and logos
- using air compressors to clean plant and machinery where practical
- not undertaking routine flushing and cleaning of water mains unless absolutely required to address a water quality issue
- not watering parks and gardens and shutting down its planting program
- investigating the possible use of recycled water on construction sites
- not turfing construction sites unless it has access to recycled water and instead using geofabric to protect the soil from erosion, and
- liaising with construction contractors to reduce their water use wherever possible.
For more information go to www.tweed.nsw.gov.au/SaveWaterNow or if you can’t find what you’re after, call Council on (02) 6670 2400.
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