THE lowest flow levels for 20 years in the Macleay River look likely to lead to water restrictions - possibly early next week.
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Kempsey Shire Council has flagged the introduction of Level 3 restrictions on water use, with Macleay River flow levels at Sherwood below normal after a prolonged period of dry weather.
Infrastructure Services director Robert Scott said the flow had reduced to just above 30 megalitres (30 million litres) per day.
The typical level (95 per cent of the time) is 200 megalitres at this time of year.
“These levels haven’t been experienced for almost 20 years in the Macleay and are approaching the really low conditions experienced during the 1994 drought,” Mr Scott said.
“With the level of the Steuart McIntyre dam falling to 60 per cent - and continued hot dry weather - we are seeing an increase in algal growth in the dam, which is leading to taste and odour problems in the water supply network.”
The low river flows have resulted in pumping from the Sherwood borefield to the Steuart McIntyre dam being suspended last month.
Supplies have relied on the storage of water in the dam since.
The council will have to implement restrictions so it can address the algae-affected water supply.
“The combination of environmental factors we are seeing at the moment has left us without a real option other than to implement restrictions on the use of water,” Mr Scott said.
“This will then allow pumping from the river to recommence and we will be able to alleviate the problems we have with taste and odour in the water coming from the dam.”
Level 3 restrictions are in place already in the Port Macquarie-Hastings, Greater Taree, and Great Lakes council areas.
Restrictions were last in place briefly in 2004.
The restrictions will affect the use of the water supply system for lawns and gardens; sporting fields; nurseries and bowling greens.
There will be rules on washing vehicles, homes and boats; driveways and paths; and commercial, industrial and construction use.
Major breaches can trigger an investigation with the possibility of court action and a fine of up to $2200.
Mr Scott said the council was reviewing the situation regularly and the situation could change very quickly.
“We’d need to see rainfall of up to four inches (100mm) across the catchment,” he said.
“We’re monitoring things closely all the time.
“The intricacies of our river system mean it doesn’t take much for (water flow) levels to rise significantly again.”
