Nambucca plan will save water | Coffs Coast Environment | Environmental News in Coffs Coast

WHEN water supplies in the Nambucca Shire dwindled to as little as 30 days during the 2002-2003 drought, the council began seriously exploring alternatives to ensure such a situation did not occur again.

The proposed 5500 megalitre Bowraville off-water storage with its $54 million price tag is just one aspect of an integrated management strategy currently on public exhibition.

According to the council's manager of water and sewerage, Richard Spain, the strategy explores various scenarios to manage water demand by looking at integrating all aspects of the system.

“With a high level of integration we are better able to manage demand,” Mr Spain said.

“For example if we have more recycling and more reuse of water, then we might only need a 5000 megalitre dam.”

Initiatives such as retro-fitting homes with efficient washing machines and water tanks (with possible council subsidies), a grey water re-use rebate program and audits of the shire's high water users have also been proposed.

Sewer mining in both Scotts Head and Nambucca Heads to reclaim water for gardens and flushing toilets is also on the agenda.

The cost to ratepayers will not be cheap with the typical residential bill of $335 today possibly increasing to $650 in 2012/2013, given a one per cent increase in population growth.

The council is keen for community feedback into the strategy and has scheduled two information sessions.

The first is on Wednesday, July 22, 2pm and 6pm, at the Macksville Council chambers.

To register your attendance phone 1800 252 040. Submissions close on August 7.