Nimbin to be under Level 2 water restrictions following drop in water supply

Starting Thursday, Sept 28, Nimbin will be put under Level 2 water restrictions, the Lismore City Council announced.

Last year, Lismore was one of the cities that were hit the hardest by the 2022 East Coast floods which was considered as the costliest flood in Australia and the country’s third-costliest natural disaster at the time.

As the city had been recovering from the disaster for the past few months, residents and businesses are now faced with water restrictions following a dwindling water supply. 

The state of Nimbin’s water supply

While the Rocky Creek Dam supplied water for the rest of the Lismore Local Government Area and is operated by the Rous Country Council, Mulgum Creek is the body of water that supplied Nimbin with its water and is operated by the Lismore City Council.

Because the creek’s water level was falling, the council had decided that restrictions were necessary. 

“For some time, we have been adjusting the operation of the water supply to manage this situation. However, with the long-term forecast showing little signs of consistent rainfall, these restrictions are now necessary,” said William Lee, Lismore City Council’s acting manager, water and wastewater.

According to Lee, the introduction of the Level 2 water restrictions was made because the council hoped to delay the implementation of an even higher level of restrictions.

"We know many people have already reduced their water consumption, and we thank them for that,” Lee said.

The following are the rules that fall under Level 2 water restrictions:

• Micro-sprays and drippers/sub-surface irrigation can only be used for a maximum of 15 minutes.
• Handheld hoses with an on-off nozzle can only be used for half an hour every second day, between the hours of 4pm and 9am on odd or even days matching your house number.
• Other irrigation, such as sprinklers, and unattended hoses are banned.
• Filling of new swimming pools is permitted, but topping up is allowed only between 4pm and 9am using a handheld hose with an on-off nozzle.
• Top up of fountains and water features is not permitted except to maintain fish life.
• Washing of driveways, paved areas, walls, windows, roofs and paths permitted prior to sale or lease of property only with council approval. Not permitted for any other reason, except for health and safety. Must use high-pressure low-flow rate cleaner.
• Washing of cars permitted with buckets or hand-held hose for ten minutes only between 4pm and 9am on odd and even days matching your house number.

For commercial premises, the same rules apply but with the following exceptions:

• Sprinklers can be used for up to 30 minutes per day for sports fields between 5am and 7am.
• Market gardens, orchards, nurseries can use sprinklers or sprays for one hour a day between 5am and 7am, or 5pm and 7pm.

“It’s important everyone continues to do their bit to conserve water as making small changes in how we use water will really help our water storage supplies last longer,” Lee said.

What do you think about Nimbin’s water restrictions? Share your thoughts in the comments below.