New measures have been announced to save water for critical needs in NSW’s Namoi valley.

With dam storage dwindling and estimated to be all but empty by the end of December without significant inflows, WaterNSW is advising customers the volume of water available for extraction is less than previously expected.

The NSW Government has announced temporary water restrictions to general security water users in both the Upper and Lower Namoi regulated river water source to secure essential water needs.

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.

Lower Namoi regulated river general security users also only have access 85 cent of the water orders placed by 5 November 2018. There will be no further Lower Namoi regulated river general security water orders, which ceased on 5 November 2018.

Trading restrictions throughout the Namoi regulated river system also apply.

This temporary water restriction remains in force until 30 June 2019, unless it is repealed or modified as a result of increased catchment inflows.

WaterNSW Executive Manager Systems Operations, Adrian Langdon said that under current conditions it will be increasingly difficult to get water to the lower sections of the river.

“We appreciate water users in the Namoi are doing it tough with the drought, so we’re doing the best we can to get the most out of the remaining water supplies.

“WaterNSW has been working closely with water users in the Upper and Lower Namoi to manage dwindling supplies, and co-operation from customers has enabled us to extend supply under arguably the state’s most severe drought conditions.

“However, without further inflows, releases from [the Keepit Dam] are likely to cease in December, leaving water users reliant on groundwater supplies where available,” he said.

More information is available here.