Locally we have been fortunate to get good soakings without major flooding. It is also good it is some months since our worst fires so the burnt land had at least some time to settle before the rain, and we've had less ash runoff here than some places.

But the February falls have now made the river too turbid to pump from. It will be at least another week before water extraction resumes. Council is adopting a cautious approach because even with the recent rain, the combined water storage is still just over 40 per cent of total capacity. By comparison, at this time last year it was around 75 per cent.

With no solid forecast of a good rain season coming, and winter rains doubtful, there is need to continue cautiously at this time. Local people have responded magnificently to the water restrictions - level 3 and higher since November 25, so hats off to everyone for getting behind the conservation of our precious water in this crisis.

There is still need for several more months of above average rainfall to enable recovery from the current shortage and prepare for dry times ahead. Even when Level 4 restrictions are lifted, we are likely to continue in the lower level restrictions until better water storage is achieved.

Cr Intemann's stories from a civic heart are her opinions and not necessarily council's.