For more local news and photos grab a copy of the Bay Post or Moruya Examiner.

Eurobodalla Shire Council’s water and waste manager, Greg Searle, said while large falls were recorded in many parts of NSW over the past two weeks, the Eurobodalla’s river catchments received just 50mm.

“This has supplied no harvestable flows in the Moruya, Tuross or Buckenbowra Rivers, which are the three rivers used to supply water to the shire,” Mr Searle said.

“The rain received has been useful in giving the catchment a drink, filling in the gullies and dams and soaking the soil, but unless we get some follow up rain very quickly, it won’t be contributing to the town water supply.”

As at Monday, Deep Creek Dam was 51.5 per cent full. It has been dropping at a rate of around 1.5 to two per cent a week.

“Without any significant rain, it is only a matter of six to eight weeks until the dam level reaches 40 per cent,” Mr Searle said.

“This will be the trigger to introduce Level Four restrictions, but also to begin implementing possible emergency drought supply measures.”

Council is currently investigating options for supplying extra water beyond what is currently available in Deep Creek Dam to try and ensure the shire doesn’t run out.

Mr Searle said any options would be very expensive and come at a huge cost to the community.

“Therefore, once again we ask that residents, visitors and businesses limit their water use as much as possible so we can hopefully avoid having to impose further restrictions as well and these large costs to the community,” he said. “This doesn’t mean only complying with the current water restrictions on outdoor water use, but also saving water wherever possible inside as well.”

Current Level 3 restrictions allow residential properties only half an hour of watering between 6 and 8am or 6 and 8pm under the odds and evens system.

“Everyone in the Eurobodalla is reminded that Council’s rangers will be strictly enforcing water restrictions this summer,” Mr Searle said.