Armidale had less than 350 days of water left. It meant with no significant downpours prior to this time next year, it would very well be a very thirsty Christmas. Now, we have just a little more to see us through.
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In December, Armidale region bettered the level 5 trigger of 160 litres per person per day, with average per person usage of about 150 litres.
Armidale Regional Council mayor Simon Murray said usage monitoring revealed a steady decrease from an average of 180 litres before October.
WATER PRESSURE STORIES
"By reaching the level 5 target the community has added another 23 days, and extended our supplies until December 2020," he said.
"Since water restrictions commenced earlier this year, we have saved a total of 209 days on our average usage from 2018.
"As great as this result is for our region, we must all continue to conserve as much water as possible."
Cr Murray said changing perceptions about water and implementing rigorous water conservation would do more in the short-term than any other initiative aimed at extending the remaining supply.
"Whatever the outcome is for bore testing, ground water will only ever be supplementary for a population our size," he said
"I cannot thank residents, businesses and organisations enough for their commitment to water conservation and the positive response to our outreach and communications.
"Sharing the responsibility with our community is critical to our success in staving off our day zero."
Cr Murray said considerable resources were directed into council's drought management communications and engagement plan, which was developed to educate and inform the community with education campaigns, auditing programs, rebates, leak detection and sustainable water management practises.
"It's really showing results," he said.
"Meeting our water target was a huge step in ensuring we do everything possible to prolong our supply until meaningful rain falls and dams begin to fill."
