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Darwin implemented water restrictions after a pump failure at Darwin River Dam caused by flooding. The city's population of about 140,000 was advised to reduce water usage and boil tap water due to contamination risks.

The Power and Water Corporation (PWC) managed to repair one pump, alleviating immediate concerns. Plans are underway to bring Manton Dam back online later this year, which will add 7,300 megalitres of water annually.

However, this is significantly less than the 40,000 megalitres extracted from Darwin River Dam, with water demand projected to double by 2050. The Adelaide River Off-stream Water Storage project is also planned but may not be completed until the 2030s.