You have the power to take a shorter shower

07 November 2019

Water restrictions implemented by Christmas without significant rain

The Tweed’s only water storage at Clarrie Hall Dam is at 86 per cent capacity and falling a further 1.5 per cent every week, prompting Council to remind the community that we all have the power to take a shorter shower.

“Taking a shorter shower is the single biggest water-saving behaviour everyone can achieve and you don’t need an egg timer, just your favourite four-minute song,” Water Efficiency Engineer Elizabeth Seidl said.

“Press play, turn on the tap, soap up, wash off and be out before the song finishes.”

To help find a favourite shower tune, check out the four-minute shower hits playlist on Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1gEdKc6OTleGM4nG9yjIlQ

On average, Tweed residents are still using 189 litres of water per person every day against a target of 160 litres and water restrictions will be implemented before Christmas if we don’t get significant rain soon.

The water supply at Tyalgum is critically low and water restrictions will be imposed as early as next week, adding to the existing ban on water carting from both the Tyalgum and Uki water supplies.

“We had estimated the level of Clarrie Hall Dam to fall by one per cent a week but it’s actually falling by 1.5 per cent a week. So our dam supply, which tops up the Tweed River for raw water extraction at Bray Park Weir, will not last as long as we had anticipated.

“Singing in the shower is perfectly acceptable; running out of water is not. Now is the time we can each make the biggest difference to how long our water supply lasts by cutting our unnecessary water usage.”

To help residents save water, Council is ramping up its Target 160L campaign and asking the community to spread the message to do the Tweed a favour and become a water saver.

Residents wanting a visual reminder of the top tips to save water in both the house and the yard can pick up a handy fridge magnet from either of Council’s offices at Murwillumbah and Tweed Heads. Those who have already stopped watering the garden can pick up a sign or sticker for posting in the front yard or on their letterbox advertising their water-saving effort. These items will be available early next week.

“We know that Tweed residents can use less water because in 2013 we achieved a daily average of 169 litres per person a day under our Target 170L campaign. Now, we need to do more,” Ms Seidl said.

Downloads

Photo 1(JPG, 61KB)

Caption: Water restrictions will be implemented by Christmas in the Tweed if we don't get significant rain.