Tumut
Indicator: Water Use
Results for this indicator are also available for [an error occurred while processing this directive]
Please note: Text or data highlighted in this colour represent an update to this indicator for the period 2008/09.
What the results tell us about Tumut Shire Council
As a consequence of the Tumut town supply coming from the Tumut River, which carries water from the Snowy Mountains Hydroelectricity Scheme to the irrigation areas of the Murrumbidgee, there is considerably higher flow than would naturally occur. This results in Tumut having assured access to water, with the volume controlled by licence. Imposition of water restrictions across the Tumut Shire Council in 2007-2008 resulted in a saving of 20% in water consumption compared with the previous year.
Supply- how much water could we have?
The main supply to Tumut is drawn from the Tumut River. This river is a major irrigation supply from the Snowy scheme to irrigators in the Murrumbidgee River irrigation areas. Flow is determined by electricity demand and irrigation requirements, and does not resemble natural flows in volume or timing. As a consequence there is a greatly increased flow in the river overall, with particularly high flows when there is irrigation demand downstream. This occurs in mid to late summer, when the natural water flow would be low. During the recent drought water allocations for irrigation have been greatly reduced, and the Tumut River flow lessened in consequence. In October and November 2006 irrigation water allocations were suspended, while stock and domestic water continued to be allocated.
The Tumut reticulation system supplies Tumut and Cloverdale.
Adelong draws water from Adelong Creek, which is subject to low flows in drought. Batlow draws water from Kunama Dam, fed by Little Gilmore Creek.
Talbingo draws water from Junama Creek, and Brungle from Nimbo Creek.
How much water is available?
The capacity of the Batlow supply reservoir was stated in the 2004 report to be 120 ML.
Consumption – how much water was used?
Total Use
Over the five years of records, only 2007-08 showed a reduction in use of bore water, though the periods 2007-08 and 2008-09 both showed a reduction in use of reticulated water (see Table 1). Surface water use, which is not supplied through the reticulation system, is for irrigation. This is primarily for use in pine plantations. This varied from 281 ML in 2004-2005 to 417 ML in 2005-2006. In 2007-2008, 318 ML were used, which is 20% of the total water use.
| 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total volume of surface water used per year in ML - from e.g. dams, reservoirs, rivers etc. | 1828 | 2012 | 1946 | 1569 | 1569 |
| Total volume of reticulated water used per year (ML) | 1547 | 1595 | 1598 | 1225 | 1203 |
| Total volume of bore water used per year in ML | 41 | 26 | |||
| non-reticulated |
| 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tumut River | 1265 | 1349 | 1422 | 1147 | 1150 |
| Kunama Dam | 320 | 417 | 305 | 256 | 236.6 |
| Junama Creek | 57 | 52 | 59 | 35 | 42.8 |
| Nimbo Creek | 18.7 | 24 | 24.6 | 13.5 | 16.2 |
| Adelong Creek | 167 | 170 | 135 | 117 | 108.5 |
| Adelong Bores | 13.5 |
Managing water use and demand
Water Conservation
Water restrictions were imposed in Tumut Shire for 270 days in 2007-2008 for the first time, at Level 2 across all towns and villages in the Tumut Shire.
These resulted in a reduction of 20% in the overall water consumption in the Shire.
During 2008-09 Adelong Creek failed to keep up with the town demand for water. To maintain a reliable supply four bores have been commissioned which, combined, are able to meet the town demands under Stage 4 restrictions. Adelong operated under Stage 4 restriction levels between 20 February 2009 and 17 April 2009. During this time town water was sourced from the bores. Stage 1 Water Restrictions were in force across the entire Shire for 365 days with Adelong operating at Stage 4 level for two months.
Recycling – making the drop go further
Wastewater treatment plants provide water for reuse in recreational facilities, as shown in Table 3. Tumut Wastewater Treatment Plant discharges to Little Gilmore Creek and to Tumut River.
| Sewage Treatment Plant Location | Reuse Strategy | Volume (KL) 2007-08 |
Volume (KL) 2008-09 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Talbingo | Effluent reuse to Golf Course 2007 | 4840 | 16002 |
| Batlow | Effluent Reuse | 20000 | 4746 |
| Adelong | Effluent Reuse | 9000 | 3084 |
| Tumut | Effluent Reuse at plant | Commissioned in September 2009 |
Future water supply
The supply from Tumut River will be secure, and the volume regulated by licence. The creeks providing water for smaller communities will be drought affected, but there is insufficient information provided to comment on the security of supply.
About the data
Information provided by Tumut Shire Council.
