Level 4 restrictions in Canowindra, Cargo, Cudal, Eugowra and Manildra
Published on 14 January 2020
Central Tablelands Water (CTW) has implemented Level 4 restrictions across its water supply area, which includes the Cabonne Council towns and villages of Canowindra, Cargo, Cudal, Eugowra and Manildra.
CTW's General Manager Gavin Rhodes, said with the arrival of the peak summer demand period, the level of the main water source, Lake Rowlands, has started to decline in recent weeks.
"The current level of Lake Rowlands is at 44%, a reduction of 3% over the past fortnight," he said.
"Although the catchment has not received decent winter rains over the past few years, we were fortunate in August to be the recipient of a decent snow event which increased the Lake Rowlands storage by 8% over a 2 week period. This inflow has assisted us significantly to date in meeting the challenges this unprecedented drought has imposed on CTW as a water supply authority. "However, unfortunately the long term rainfall forecast for the Lake Rowlands catchment area is not looking favourable, so we need to continue to act responsibly in managing our finite resource."
CTW’s deputy chairman, Cr Kevin Walker said although Lake Rowlands is currently at 44%, he anticipated it would continue to fall at a rapid rate as the warmer weather continues.
"The CTW Board have been unanimous in deciding to implement Level 4 restrictions, and are fully supportive of the CTW Senior Management Team and staff in managing this precious resource. I would also like to acknowledge our consumers for their understanding and acceptance of the need to implement and adhere to further water restrictions," he said.
Level 4 restrictions consists of the watering of gardens on Wednesday and Sunday evenings between 6pm and 8pm for a maximum of 1 hour. Watering of lawns is not permitted. Additional approval has been granted by Council for the use of a hand held trigger hose for up to 1 hour per allocated watering day to water gardens only. All information pertaining to the requirements of Level 4 Water Restrictions is available on CTW’s website at www.ctw.nsw.gov.au or by contacting the CTW administration office on 02 6391 7200.
CTW will continue to closely monitor the level of Lake Rowlands and implement strategies to gain access to the dead storage of the dam in the future.