Namoi water restrictions eased thanks to rain

The Department of Industry – Water announced Wednesday the easing of controls on general-security water users of the Upper and Lower Namoi regulated river water.

Executive director Rachel Connell said this was because the rain had helped to reduce the loss of water sustained during releases from Keepit Dam.

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“The easing of the water restriction in Namoi Valley has been made possible following 40mm of rain across the catchment, replenishing weir pools and soaking the dry riverbed,” Ms Connell said.

“This much-needed rainfall will provide temporary relief from high transmission losses during the current water delivery by block release.

“However, it must be stressed that the drought affecting the Namoi Valley has not ended and difficult water shortage conditions remain widespread.”

Customers can now extract any water they have ordered on or before November 5, 2018.

Trade of general-security allocations in the Lower Namoi remains closed due to water shortage conditions.

The 15 per cent restriction in the Upper Namoi water source has been lifted, but Lower Namoi general-security water orders submitted after November 5 still cannot be accepted due to the lack of water.

Town water supplies for Manilla and Barraba from Split Rock Dam are secure for 2019/20, but delivery of water from Keepit Dam to Walgett will be delayed to avoid very high transmission losses over the long river distance.

“Water levels in Namoi Valley storages have been falling since October 2017 as the catchment has experienced low rainfall and high-temperature drought conditions,” Ms Connell said.

“We are committed to being responsive in assessing and distributing improvements in water availability at this difficult time and this rain event, though small, has been very helpful.”

Catchment and water availability would continue to be closely monitored and updates provided as the situation changed, the department said.