Water restrictions relief in Apollo Bay

WATER restrictions will be lifted in Apollo Bay, Marengo and Skenes Creek from today (Friday, August 1)

A welcome rise in storage levels mean the current Stage 2 restrictions will be removed and the area will return to the Permanent Water Saving Rules in place across Victoria.

Varying water restrictions have been in place since early this year due to dry conditions, with the area experiencing its driest 12 months in 86 years.

Barwon Water general manager of planning, delivery and environment Seamus Butcher said current storage levels and expected rain fall were encouraging.

“We really appreciate the community for being efficient with their water use and thank them for their patience and understanding during this period.

“We’ve had a lot of positive interactions with customers and have been delighted by their willingness to embrace water-saving measures and identify areas of improvement.”

Storage levels reached a low of 20.4 per cent on June 6, before much-needed rainfall lifted water storage levels back up to 68 per cent.

The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting a greater than 60 per cent chance of exceeding median rainfall in the three-month outlook.

Barwon Water will continue to monitor weather forecasts and the recovery of long-term supplies through winter and spring.

Throughout the water-saving period, the organisation has worked with local businesses to deliver water-saving upgrades including water audits, upgrading to dual-flush cisterns, fixing other toilet leaks at Apollo Bay Leisure Centre and providing water-efficient showerheads to Lions; for not-for-profit community housing.

Within the community, there have been home audits, leak repairs, and toilet upgrades, as well an uptake of free water-efficiency items, including:

– 111 water buckets

– 93 shower timers, and

– 87 trigger nozzles.

Dam safety maintenance works are being carried out on Marengo Basin, to ensure high-quality drinking water can be delivered into the future. Preparation works are under way to bring it back into service.

Barwon Water’s Apollo Bay: Water Your Say project is exploring water security in the area and a community working group is providing insights and knowledge.

For more information, head to yoursay.barwonwater.vic.gov.au/apollo-bay-hub