Plans by State Water to transfer water from Split Rock Dam to Keepit Dam will be discussed at a public meeting in Manilla on Wednesday.

The agency says the bulk water transfer, planned for November, is necessary to ensure there’s enough to meet demand for water orders from users in the Lower Namoi over the summer.

Northern Water Operations Manager, Craig Cahill, says it’s all about being prepared for the dry conditions forecast to continue over the coming months.

“The BoM forecast indicates it doesn’t look like it’s going to be a wet summer, so we’re assuming it is going to stay dry,” he said.

“Underpinning that dry scenario our proposal is to do the bulk water transfer from Split Rock to Keepit.”

Craig Cahill says State Water is planning ahead.

“The water in both dams has been allocated out to both the Upper Namoi users and the Lower Namoi users,” he said.

“So, what we’re required to do now is to be able to satisfy the anticipated demand coming up this summer and actually move water from Split Rock Dam to Keepit Dam to be able to fill those orders.”