By Grace Jones | posted on September 19, 2019
SHIRE of Denmark councillors voted unanimously on Tuesday night to request the Minister for Water and Water Corporation to discuss their plans for water security in the region due to record low rainfall.
Last week the Water Corporation announced that Denmark residents would be facing Stage 5 water restrictions from October 1.
According to the Water Corporation, this year was one of the driest years on record resulting in significantly less water running into Quickup Dam that is Denmark’s primary water source.
The long-term average stream-flow into Quickup Dam is around 2000 million litres per year, with this year’s stream-flow being only 300 million litres.
Councillor Jan Lewis moved her motion and said there had been a lot of concern in the community over the water situation.
“I’m proposing to give the community the opportunity to express their views,” she said.
Denmark resident Julie Marsh said during public question time that the recently announced $39 million water pipeline between Albany and Denmark was a financial commitment due to climate change.
“The solution is reactive, poorly research and a band-aid solution,” she said.
“The Water Corporation and State Government solution is to throw money at it and burn more carbon.
“We have to change our way of thinking, fundamentally, and now. Every single one of us is responsible.
“It’s simple math. There’s less rain, so use less water.”
Denmark residents will be restricted to using their sprinklers one day a week until December 31, hand watering is still allowed.
