Despite the return of wet season rains, no date has been set yet for the removal of Katherine’s water restrictions.
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When the NT Government introduced the emergency measure in August, several Ministers promised they would be reviewed in November.
Residents are also being told they will have to brace themselves for the return of restrictions next dry season.
Authorities are not expecting any long-term fix for the town’s drinking water problems for at least two years which means the same rescue as applied this year will have to continue.
People will have to use less water so the existing water treatment plant can cope with the PFAS contamination levels in bore supplies.
That way the new treatment plant add-on, which only treats a small proportion of the town’s water, will be able to cope.
A Power and Water spokeswoman said no date has been set yet for the lifting of restrictions.
“Demand for water decreases with the onset of the wet season rains and reduced outdoor use,” the spokeswoman said.
“This negates the need for the water conservation measures in the short-term however they will remain in place next dry season to ensure Power and Water can continue to provide safe drinking water.”
Katherine residents managed to reduce their water use by about 20 per cent during the critical months of September and October which meant authorities did not to have use the contaminated bore supply.
Water restrictions began in Katherine in August.
They are believed to have been the first town-wide restrictions introduced anywhere in Australia because of PFAS contamination.
Katherine has had well above average rainfall this November.