North East Water (NEW) says recent rainfall has provided relief for many water storages across the region, however Bright remains a key area of concern.
The town’s off-river storage is currently sitting at just 53 per cent capacity, a sharp decline from 84 per cent at this time last year.
Compounding the issue, weekly water usage in Bright is around three million litres higher than the five-year average.
NEW general manager environment, systems and operations, John Day, said the water corporation is working hard to refill Bright’s storage.
“It’s a complex process as we can only extract water from the Ovens River during high-flow periods, typically in winter and we’re limited by a fixed annual allocation,” Mr Day said.
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“The biggest challenge right now is the significantly higher than usual community water use, which means the team is working to refill the storage while also meeting daily demand.
“This makes is it much harder to build reserves ahead of summer.”
This situation follows two dry summers, a dry autumn and a dry start to winter.
If conditions don’t improve, NEW said formal water restrictions may be introduced in Bright by December.
“We’re asking residents and businesses to continue reducing water use, especially outdoors, as every drop counts,” Mr Day said.
“We are also encouraging accommodation hosts to remind guests to conserve water during their stay.
“Over the coming months, we’ll be working closely with local businesses to help educate visitors about the importance of being water wise in places like Bright.
“Droughts often last for years, not just a single season.
"That’s why it’s crucial to return to strong water-saving habits now, as the challenges we’re facing could persist for some time.”
Everyone can be water-wise with simple actions at home: such as running washing machines and dishwashers only with full loads and watering gardens in the cooler parts of the day to minimise evaporation.
It’s the everyday water-saving habits, from the backyard to the bathroom, which collectively help conserve water supplies.
To learn more about local water supplies, visit: www.newater.com.au/supply.
