We have been lucky in the Northern Rivers to have had a lot of rainfall over the weekend, and just when water restrictions are about to be raised in some areas, others are enjoying restrictions being relaxed.
Restrictions in Tyalgum could be lifted as early as tomorrow after weekend rain filled the newly refurbished village weir.
Across the rest of the Tweed, Level 2 restrictions will remain in effect but the move to Level 3 restrictions has delayed by at least 10 weeks.
Manager Water and Wastewater Anthony Burnham said falls of up to 180mm in the catchment have given residents a reprieve so badly needed. ‘But we are not out of the woods yet and need good follow-up rain to fill Clarrie Hall Dam.’
The weekend rain lifted the water level in the dam from 68 per cent on Friday to 79 per cent today and the Tweed River and its feeder creeks are flowing again.
‘With the height of the Tweed River now at 1.2 metres at Bray Park Weir, we are no longer reliant on releases from the dam to supply drinking water to the community.
‘But the rain in the catchment has now stopped and there is no more forecast for this coming week so we are still looking at life under Level 2 water restrictions for some time yet.’
Mr Burnham said that further rains should deliver greater run-off into the dam and waterways as the thirsty soils would have soaked up much of the weekend rain.
Today Council begun work to get the Tyalgum Water Treatment Plant back online as the newly refurbished weir is full.
Working to lift all restrictions in Tyalgum
‘We are working to lift all water restrictions in Tyalgum by as early as tomorrow but the restriction on carting water from that supply will remain in force.’
Council has been tankering water to Tyalgum from the main town water supply since early November after the village weir level fell very low and the quality of the raw water was no longer suitable for treatment.
Taking advantage of the time offline, Council sought urgent approval to undertake improvement and essential maintenance works at the weir.
Workers excavated 11⁄2 metres of silt out of the bottom of the weir, restoring the weir pool to its original footprint.
They stabilised the weir banks with rocks to prevent further erosion around the extraction inlet structure and to the adjacent land. The intake filter was cleaned out and repaired and the filter media upgraded.
The work has increased the holding capacity of the weir pool and improved raw water quality. It also has provided relief for aquatic life struggling to survive in the stagnant pool under drought conditions.
This year Council will put up more fencing around the weir and plant more trees to prevent cattle accessing the weir pool, in agreement with the adjoining landowner.
