Cobar residents, for the most part, have been adhering to water restrictions which has seen a 30 per cent reduction in the town’s water consumption over the past 12 months.
Cobar Shire Council’s general manager Peter Vlatko praised Cobar residents for their efforts in reducing water consumption and said imposing tough water restrictions has had the desired result.
“However with summer approaching it will become even more important that everybody adheres to the restrictions,” Mr Vlatko said.
“Council will need to start enforcing any breaches of our current restrictions and therefore staff will be monitoring the water usage of properties from now on and address those that have chosen to ignore the restrictions.
“Should our water saving not be maintained then further water restrictions will need to be introduced and therefore we seek all residents to do what they can to save water.”
Mr Vlatko said he would make it a priority to keep the community informed of the town’s water storage levels.
“At this point in time we have made sure they are full and so if we continue to maintain our existing levels our water consumption our expected storages will last until May 2020,” he said.
“After this date, and if it hasn’t rained, we will need to take further actions and further restrictions will be introduced.
“I would like to stress that we are concentrating on the current drought and the potential for Burrendong Dam not having any water if it doesn’t rain.”
Mr Vlatko said council has been in talks with the State Government about the importance of having a long term plan to ensure Cobar is not in this position ever again.
“It is important that the State and Federal Government provides the necessary funding for the infrastructure needed to address
any projects towards water security and not just for Cobar, but also our mines,” Mr Vlatko said.
In an effort to help local residents further conserve their water usage, Cobar Shire Council will be providing weekly water savings
tips.
“Every drop of water counts and every drop we save means another day with water,” Mr Vlatko said.
