Return to home page

Moving towards level 3 water restrictions as high temperatures continue

As high temperatures continue we are urging residents to reduce outdoor water use. “The warm weather drives up water demand and it’s likely we’ll need to move to level 3 water restrictions in the next week or two if we don’t get some decent rain,” says Council’s water and waste water manager Karl Pavlovich.

Council recently limited the use of sprinklers to alternate days between the hours of 6am-8am and 6pm-8pm. “The water supply is coming under pressure - water use is increasing but no substantial rainfall is predicted for the foreseeable future. Every drop of water that’s saved counts, and by reducing water usage now helps us manage what water we have for the weeks or months ahead.”

It is looking like the third summer in a row where it has been drier and warmer than usual. “The extremely warm weather is predicted to continue and by starting to look after our water now, that could help minimise the time spent at more restrictive levels.”

Level two water restrictions also apply to businesses, educational institutions and commercial customers where water is being used for non-core business purposes. For example, watering a garden outside a lawyers office, school or restaurant would not be considered core business. Their core business is providing legal advice, education and food – not gardening or landscaping.

While the district remains in level 2 water restrictions, residents are being asked to conserve water wherever possible - inside and outside of the home and office. “Using less water eases the pressure on the treatment plants so they can keep up with demand, and we conserve our raw water sources for longer,” says Pavlovich. “This is a good time for people to look at how much water they’re using – on the garden, in the shower and around the house. This isn’t the time to be re-filling the pool, water blasting the driveway or cleaning the outside of the house. Think twice before using the town water supply for non-essential purposes.”

At level two, sprinklers and garden irrigation systems should only be used on alternate days between the hours of 6am-8am and 6pm-8pm.

Watering on alternate days means addresses with even street numbers should water on days with even dates in the month, for example, 22nd, 24th, 26th and so on. Odd letter box numbers can water on days with odd dates, for example, 23rd, 25th, 27th.

For upates and tips keep an eye on the Council’s Facebook page or for ideas to help get you started go to water saving tips.

 

 WR road sign Level 2 500x280