Appeal to Picton and Waikawa to cut down water use

Picton and Waikawa households are being asked to cut back on their water use to avoid immediate water restrictions for the town.

There is less water than usual available while the Council is upgrading the Speeds Road water treatment plant. The $4.41M upgrade is underway to ensure Picton’s water supply will meet the national Drinking Water Standard which includes providing protection against giardia and cryptosporidium.

While the work is being done, Picton will be relying on its Essons Valley treatment plant so the public is being asked to ease up on water use.

Council Operations and Maintenance Engineer Stephen Rooney says Picton needs to hold its daily demand for water to less than 4,400 cubic metres if restrictions are to be avoided.

In the last three days, demand has exceeded 4,700 cubic metres each day. 

“We’ve been getting by because the other source of Picton’s water, in Essons Valley, is still able to be treated but this situation is likely to change in the next few weeks if there is no significant rainfall. “

The Essons Valley water is a stream-fed source which can become untreatable in the height of summer.

Mr Rooney says the biggest demand for water in Picton is for garden irrigation and if people can voluntarily cut back on that it would help the situation.

“The Renwick community has shown that, when there are issues with water supply, it’s possible to manage water use with voluntary restrictions and I hope Picton can do that too. But if demand doesn’t drop, garden irrigation bans are likely until this upgrade is finished.”

Mr Rooney says water conservation is necessary until about mid-February when the new treatment plant is due to be completed. He says, further into the project, a certain level of water restriction – probably affecting only garden irrigation – is likely to be necessary during the period when the new plant is being brought into commission.

ENDS.

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