Mullumbimby's water restrictions have been reduced from Level 4 to Level 2 to align with the regional drought water restriction level.
"The rain on the weekend was desperately needed and the Huonbrook rain gauge recorded an impressive 164.5mm with Laverty's Gap Weir now overflowing," Byron Shire Council's Director Infrastructure Services, Phil Holloway said.
The change means that the whole of the Byron Shire is currently on Level 2 water restrictions.
"The recent rain has brought some desperately needed relief and topped up our dams, and our community's efforts to reduce water consumption have made a difference," Mr Holloway said.
"But the reality is that we have, on average, been using more water than what is going in, and that is what we are now working hard to address," he said.
"We've been collecting data and identifying businesses and residents with higher than normal usage rates and we'll be out speaking to these people in coming weeks, setting up water plans where necessary, so we can set achievable targets for water reduction and start becoming more resilient in the face of drought.
"It makes commercial sense too because if businesses use less water, they pay less," he said.
"Now that we've all been doing our bit and saving water in our homes, it's an opportunity to keep building on these actions so they become normal for us and part of our everyday lives.
"Having shorter showers, keeping a bucket in your shower for garden watering, checking your taps and toilets for leaks twice a year – we want to put water saving at the heart of what we do as a community - for the long term."
What Level 2 water restrictions mean for households
Outdoor watering
- No watering of lawns
- You can water the garden with a hand-held hose (30 minute max) or irrigation system (15 minute max) between 4pm – 9am every second day depending on the house number. Odd house numbers on the 1st, 3rd and 5th and so on. Even house numbers on the 2nd, 4th, 6th and so on.
Car washing
- Allowed with a watering can or bucket for 10 minutes between 4pm – 9am every second day according to the house number. People can use water-efficient, high pressure cleaners with a trigger control.
There are water restrictions in place for businesses as well. Fines apply for breaches of water restrictions so read the complete list of Level 2 restrictions for household and businesses on the Rous County Council website and download a table of the Water Saving Measures at each Water Restriction Level or visit Council's website at www.byron.nsw.gov.au/Services/Water-sewer/Water/Water-restrictions.
