NSW government considering lowering dam capacity to avoid future flooding - 9News

The proposal suggests lowering the dam's capacity to 80 per cent to allow leeway for heavy rainfall, however, it would not be possible unless the water supply could be made up elsewhere.

Nearly 80 per cent of Sydney's drinking water comes from Warragamba Dam.

The Minns government are considering a plan to lower the capacity of Warragamba Dam to mitigate flood risks. (Nine)

The proposal suggests lowering the dams capacity to 80 per cent to allow leeway for heavy rainfall. (Nine)

"We're looking at all potential changes - including dropping the maximum allowable level on Warragamba," Premier Chris Minns said.

"However, I can't consider doing that until I supplement Sydney's water supply in the meantime."

In a drought, the Kurnell Desalination plant can provide up to 15 per cent of the city's water supply.

The premier is looking to double the $1.8 billion plant's operations, which would make up the shortfall of dam water once the capacity is lowered. 

"This will cost a lot of money, and take a lot of time... and if this was easy, someone would have done it by now," Minns said.

The move would save guard communities around the Hawkesbury River, which are devastated by floods often.

Just last week Sydney's west saw 300mm of rain, which caused major flooding around several suburbs, including North Richmond, Penrith and Windsor. (Nine)

Just last week Sydney's west saw 300mm of rain, which caused major flooding around several suburbs, including North Richmond, Penrith and Windsor.

The Hawkesbury River peaked at 10.52 metres by 9pm on Saturday night.

Opposition leader Mark Speakman isn't convinced that the move is cost-effective.

"Desalinated water is much more expensive than rainwater in a dam or reservoir but Chris Minns has done no analysis it would seem."

Floods destroy properties across NSW after record-breaking deluge

A $2 billion plan by the Coalition, which the government has scrapped, proposed a 14-metre extension of the dam walls, which would hold back flood waters but not increase storage capacity.

Community leader Chris Bell from the Pitt Town Progress Association said they were open to any viable solution.

"Well, whatever works, but if you don't start, then you'll never have a solution," Bell said.  

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2024-04-09 07:32:55Z
CBMikwFodHRwczovL3d3dy45bmV3cy5jb20uYXUvbmF0aW9uYWwvbWlubnMtZ292ZXJubWVudC1jb3VsZC1sb3dlci13YXJyYWdhbWJhLWRhbS1jYXBhY2l0eS10by1taXRpZ2F0ZS1mbG9vZC1yaXNrcy9jZmIwYjc3ZS01MjYyLTRiMWMtOTlmMC1hZjA3ZGY3MDM1MmHSAUVodHRwczovL2FtcC45bmV3cy5jb20uYXUvYXJ0aWNsZS9jZmIwYjc3ZS01MjYyLTRiMWMtOTlmMC1hZjA3ZGY3MDM1MmE

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