Outlook strong for most of region

Most Gippsland Water customers won’t be impacted by water restrictions this summer, despite ongoing dry conditions.

Gippsland Water released its Annual Water Outlook this week, which details the capacity of its water systems as summer starts.

Managing director Sarah Cumming said the majority of towns’ water supplies are in good shape thanks to decent rainfall in August, September and November in the western and central part of the region.

“Our Moondarra Reservoir and allocation at Blue Rock Reservoir, which service the Latrobe Valley, are both 100 per cent full,” Ms Cumming said.

“To the west, our new interconnecting pipeline between Moe and Warragul will further support the Tarago system that serves Warragul and Drouin.

“However, after a dry start to the year, the east of our region continues to experience the lowest rainfall on record in some areas.”

Ms Cumming said despite these drought conditions, the system that supplies Sale and surrounds could handle customers’ demand this summer.

“Unfortunately, the ongoing drought conditions in the eastern part of our service area has meant the aquifer that supplies the Briagolong community and irrigators with water is at a low level for this time of the year.

“Because of this, we may have to put water restrictions in place to protect the water supply in Briagolong.

“We will be talking to the Briagolong community about this real possibility to hear their thoughts on when and how they’d prefer to see water restrictions implemented.

“We are also investigating alternative water supplies for the town.”

Ms Cumming said despite a good outlook for most of the region, customers should not be complacent when it comes to water use.

“We would encourage all customers to be mindful about how they use their water and observe all permanent water saving rules.”

You can read Gippsland Water’s annual water outlook at www.gippswater.com.au/awo2019