HIGH AND DRY
Water use spikes as drought continues
WATER usage is rising in Townsville with residents greatly exceeding the city’s daily consumption limit.
Townsville City Council reported a daily usage of 129.2ML last Thursday, nearly 30 per cent over the recommend limit of 100ML.
Since August 20, Townsville has exceeded its daily limit, recording usage of between 101.45ML and 129.2ML.
Ross Dam ( left) levels continue to decrease and yesterday it was sitting at 16.5 per cent capacity.
Acting Mayor Cr Les Walker said the council would start pumping from the Burdekin when Ross Dam reached 15 per cent. He hoped that would not be for another four weeks if residents kept the city’s daily usage to the 100ML limit.
TOWNSVILLE has exceeded its daily water consumption limit of 100ML in recent weeks, as Acting Mayor Les Walker warns residents to reduce usage to stave off the need to pump from the Burdekin Falls Dam.
Townsville City Council recorded a daily usage of 129.2ML last Thursday, and residents also exceeded the limit yesterday with 108.4ML.
It comes as the level of Ross Dam continues to decrease – it is currently sitting at 16.5 per cent capacity.
The city has exceeded its daily limit since August 20, recording usage of between 101.45ML and 129.2ML.
The council is expected to start pumping from the Burdekin when Ross Dam reaches 15 per cent.
Cr Walker said the remaining 1.5 percentage points before the 15 per cent threshold was reached should last the next four weeks if residents kept daily usage to 100ML.
“It’s getting hot and dry with wind so the evaporation changes,” he said.
“There’s a lot of factors that impact on water levels.
“We just need to be mindful of what we’re using in hot and windy conditions.”
Cr Walker said by and large, most residents had “been good”.
“It’s been up around 120ML which is a huge spike,” he said. “If people don’t do the right thing, it means we will pump sooner.
“If the consumption stays up there, we will be up around Level 4 ( water restrictions) before we know it. It is getting very dry and it is a lot hotter.”
Cr Walker said Townsville had experienced some cooler months, but the temperature had recently climbed to 30C.
“Warmer water and more wind will increase evaporation rates,” he said. “We as a team in council are working in the background on the water security with the pipeline.”
Resident Mark Luton recently re- corded footage of the Ross Dam with his drone, revealing its dwindling level.
“I’ve been flying my drone for quite a few years and it’s just getting drier and drier and I thought it was about time to make use of the tool that I have,” he said.
The Water For Townsville Action Group member said he flew the drone every week to different places around the region.
“It depends on how you colour grade ( the footage), but it’s getting harder and harder to find picturesque places,” he said. “It’s pretty sad for everybody. “I have three videos up that are focusing on the drought.
“I’m not hoping to get anything out of it other than I want to support the group and show Townsville things that they can’t see for themselves.”
Level 4 water restrictions would be enforced if the Ross Dam reached 10 per cent.