Water restrictions in place in Byron

These restrictions apply to residential, as well as commercial and industrial properties. Residents in particular face the following restrictions:

• Sprinklers or fixed hoses may be used every second day between the hours of 6am to 10am and 3pm to 7pm on odd or even calendar days that match the street address.
• Hand-held hoses may still be used at any time but must be fitted with an on/off nozzle.
• New swimming pools may be filled but the emptying and refilling of existing pools and outdoor spas for the purpose of cleaning is banned.
• An existing pool or spa may only be refilled following repair work.
• The washing of driveways, paved areas and roofs is only permitted for health or safety reasons, using a bucket.  Special permission may be granted for the use of high pressure washers, which may be more water efficient in some cases.

Besides receiving a leaflet in the mail outlining the restrictions and what they mean, residents are encouraged to call the hotline, and to check local papers for detailed information.

The restrictions are due to the fact that the water level in the Rocky Creek dam, the main water supply for the region, are below 60 percent.  If the dam level drops to 50 percent, Level 2 water restrictions will then apply.

ICLEI has an international freshwater Water Campaign that aims to build the capacity of local governments to reduce water consumption and improve local water quality. Byron is currently not a member of The Water Campaign.  In Australia, the Water Campaign is delivered in collaboration with the Australian Government, the Government of Western Australia, City West Water, South East Water, Yarra Valley Water and the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board.  For more information on ICLEI’s Water Campaign, please visit www.iclei.org/water.

Byron is, however, one of 100 local governments in Australia that are currently Members of ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability.  For more information on ICLEI and its activities in the Oceania Region, please visit www.iclei.org/oceania.

Source:  “Level 1 Water Restrictions Now Apply”, Rous Water at www.rouswater.nsw.gov.au.