Tight new restrictions on water availability among water account holders in the Namoi Valley have been introduced as dam levels plummet at Split Rock and Keepit Dams, leaving many irrigators in the lurch.
Some had spent large amounts of money on preparing crops and forward selling believing there would be a block release of water from early November. They had already negotiated to have two block releases reduced to one.
But this release is expected to be cut by up to 15 per cent after the NSW Department of Industry invoked a section 324 regulation, allowing it to control the agreed release that was to occur over 60 days.
Namoi Water users say this was done without any consultation with irrigators, a move of “considerable concern”, according to executive officer Jon-Maree Baker.
Namoi Water is meeting with WaterNSW today to ascertain how large the water cuts will be, with many water users saying they have been very conservative with water use and were relying on this expected release from Keepit with water sitting in their accounts.
The Department of Industry announced on late Wednesday that temporary water restrictions would now apply to general security water users in both the Upper and Lower Namoi regions.
Department of Industry – Water Executive Director, Rachel Connell said “water flows in the Namoi region are at historic lows, with similar conditions not seen since 1940”.
“As a result, the severe water shortage has deepened and access to river water by general security licence holders has had to be restricted,” she said..
“The Namoi Valley area in particular has experienced unprecedented low inflows to Split Rock and Keepit dams. This has necessitated temporary restrictions in water use to secure essential water needs for as long as possible.
“Split Rock and Keepit Dams have only received 31 GL of inflow since August 2017. In comparison, the lowest historical inflow is 44 GL from August 1939 to October 1940,” she said.
“Under the temporary water restrictions, Upper Namoi regulated river general security users can access 85 per cent of the volume of water held in their account as of 5 November 2018.
“Also, in broad terms, Lower Namoi regulated river general security users have access to 85 per cent of the water orders placed on or before 5 November 2018. Water cannot be taken under Lower Namoi regulated river general security licences for orders placed after that date.
“Trading restrictions throughout the Namoi regulated river system also apply while the temporary water restriction remains in force.
“This is a tough situation and the decision was not taken lightly; we are in desperate need of rain. Water users will be updated each month on the current resource availability.
“Catchment and water availability is being closely monitored and restrictions will be eased as soon as possible,” Ms Connell said.
The legal order will expire on 30 June 2019, unless it is modified or repealed as a result of changes to water availability.
It was reported last month that the cotton harvest in the Namoi would be cut in half because of the ongoing drought.
The dire situation of water storages was revealed by Water NSW, with dam levels falling to “critical” low levels despite recent rain in the north. “While water for town supply and critical needs is assured, prolonged periods of chronically low inflows have reduced Keepit Dam storage to 8.5 per cent of capacity and Split Rock Dam to 12.8 per cent,” WaterNSW said.
WaterNSW said it estimated that even with the additional water sent from Split Rock in the last few days Keepit Dam could fall to 2 per cent of capacity by the year’s end, without receiving significant inflows. “Split Rock would hold less than five per cent by the end of December under the same minimal inflow scenario.”
Now the scenario is playing out to the detriment of water users.
John Ellicott
journalist and author
journalist and author
