Palerang Council is likely to introduce Stage 2 Water Restrictions in Braidwood before Christmas. Water flows in the Shoalhaven River have dropped significantly in the past few weeks, and Council Director of Work Gordon Cunningham says that the restrictions will be necessary soon unless there is significant runoff within the week.
Council staff have been monitoring daily the river flows as well as the usage, and see a very serious situation developing.
Combined with the reduction in flows, water usage has risen to an abnormally high level. Average October usage is 12.9 ML, but this October, with higher than average temperatures, Braidwood's consumption was a 20.2 ML. This usage is 56% higher than average.
"Stage 2 Water Restrictions will be looking for a 25% reduction in average usage, not the peak usage we are experiencing at the moment" said Mr Cunningham. The dam is currently at capacity of 80ML.
The last time it stopped flowing was in 2003 and water restrictions were introduced then.
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