Denmark water roster increased as dam set to overflow

Water Minister Dr Graham Jacobs said today that Denmark would rejoin the two days a week sprinkler roster from December 1, following good winter rains that swelled Quickup Dam close to maximum volume. 

Dr Jacobs said the decision to move from the one day a week roster had been made because, with the water supply dam at its current level, the Water Corporation was confident the town could get through the summer period following good winter rains and 90mm last Thursday and Friday alone.

The one day a week roster became necessary from the beginning of the year following two years of extremely low rainfall in the catchment feeding into Quickup Dam. 

"All actions required to restore the two days roster, which applies to all towns south of Kalbarri, are being put in place to ensure Denmark residents will be able to water under that regime from the first day of summer," the Minister said.

"In July, the dam was only about 20 per cent of capacity but in the past three months that has increased and the corporation believes there will be no problems this summer."

Dr Jacobs thanked the Denmark community for their efforts to save water during the critical past eleven months but urged them to continue to use water wisely into the future.

"The local community and the shire have been great promoting water efficiency during this period," he said. 

"Demand on the town's water supply will increase significantly during the peak tourist season which is almost upon us and I ask that people do not become complacent, remaining ever conscious of their water use."

The Minister said long-term planning to secure Denmark's water supply would continue through summer and into 2009.