Mr WOOD - 2016-04-21
Darwin River Dam is 8% below its level this time last year and the level has already started to fall. In the first three months of this year we received 551 mL compared to the average of 1103 mL. As well, anecdotal evidence in the rural area shows that the water table is lower than usual.
Are you preparing for water restrictions this year? Are you prepared to reduce extraction entitlements from Power and Water Corporation bores in the Howard East Aquifer to protect domestic bores in the area which are relied on by locals for their water supply?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. Yes, there has been less than average rainfall in the last few years. The Darwin River Dam catchment received reasonable rain this year; however, the dam is still running at about 90%.
Power and Water has strategies in place for when we have less than average rainfall occurrences. In regard to whether there are plans to restrict the water available to Power and Water from its bores, everyone works to an 80:20 rule and Power and Water is no different. The amount of water allocated to Power and Water licences in the Howard East Aquifer is based on that 80:20 rule. The amount it is given is a maximum amount of water, and once the review of rainfall for the last Wet Season is completed, its allocation will be announced, adjusted under the 80:20.
Much of this information is already available on the Internet site. In December last year there were two new licences – it may have been four – for Power and Water, and these conditions are quite clearly laid out.
I mentioned yesterday that there are 7500 bores, and I mentioned the exemption. These bores are not licensed. The bores are rated as pumping less than 15 L a second, and there is no way we could restrict those. All we can do is ask people to be more conscious of the amount of water they are using.
Power and Water does a great job in this area, and tells people to use water rationally. In my area you can tell when bores are on if they have a pressure release, and quite often bores are on 24 hours a day. These are the rural people who are complaining about the lack of water. I ask that they be a little more responsible in their use of water in that area.
Are you preparing for water restrictions this year? Are you prepared to reduce extraction entitlements from Power and Water Corporation bores in the Howard East Aquifer to protect domestic bores in the area which are relied on by locals for their water supply?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. Yes, there has been less than average rainfall in the last few years. The Darwin River Dam catchment received reasonable rain this year; however, the dam is still running at about 90%.
Power and Water has strategies in place for when we have less than average rainfall occurrences. In regard to whether there are plans to restrict the water available to Power and Water from its bores, everyone works to an 80:20 rule and Power and Water is no different. The amount of water allocated to Power and Water licences in the Howard East Aquifer is based on that 80:20 rule. The amount it is given is a maximum amount of water, and once the review of rainfall for the last Wet Season is completed, its allocation will be announced, adjusted under the 80:20.
Much of this information is already available on the Internet site. In December last year there were two new licences – it may have been four – for Power and Water, and these conditions are quite clearly laid out.
I mentioned yesterday that there are 7500 bores, and I mentioned the exemption. These bores are not licensed. The bores are rated as pumping less than 15 L a second, and there is no way we could restrict those. All we can do is ask people to be more conscious of the amount of water they are using.
Power and Water does a great job in this area, and tells people to use water rationally. In my area you can tell when bores are on if they have a pressure release, and quite often bores are on 24 hours a day. These are the rural people who are complaining about the lack of water. I ask that they be a little more responsible in their use of water in that area.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016