Community & Business
26 April, 2021
Full rundown on Water Restrictions
Permanent water saving rules are now in place with a target of 200 Litres per person per day apply across the region for users accessing drinking water supplies.
Permanent Water Saving Rules
Outdoor watering and cleaning times: Use of water for outdoor watering and cleaning of hard surfaces can only occur:
7am – 9am and 4pm – 6pm May –September
6am – 8am and 5pm – 7pm October – April
Hand Held Hose: Water from a hand-held hose can only be used if it is fitted with a trigger nozzle and is leak free. Garden Sprinklers: Garden sprinklers must be a minimum 3 star rating and used in conjunction with a timer.
Maximum use of a water efficient sprinkler is 20 minutes on any one day where outdoor watering is allowed.
Sprinklers can only be used in accordance with scheduled outdoor watering times.
Use of efficient sprinklers must comply with Efficient Irrigation for Water Conservation Guidelines.
Residential Vehicle Washing (includes cars, caravans, trailers, bikes and boats): Permitted within allocated outdoor watering times using:
Hand-held hoses (with trigger nozzle)
Buckets
High pressure, low volume water cleaning units
Cleaning windows, mirrors and lights for safety can be done at any time of day using a bucket. Cleaning of hard surfaces: water can be used (using waterwise practices) to clean driveways, paths, concrete, tiles, timber decking and solar panels where:
Cleaning is required as a result of an accident, fire, health hazard, safety hazard or other emergency (can occur any time of day)
If surface staining has occurred (cleaning can occur once per season)
In the course of construction or renovation (Exemptions may be required within the water restriction framework) Waterwise practices must be used when cleaning hard surfaces. This means:
Use of a high pressure, low volume water cleaning device; or
If such a device is not available, a hand held hose (see above) or a bucket and broom Be Waterwise stickers are available for businesses located within the Southern Downs. These stickers are free of charge and can be collected from Council Administration Buildings for use in showers, toilets and near hand washing basins.
COVID-19 and provision of water and wastewater services
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, Southern Downs Regional Council is focused on ensuring business as usual continuity for water and wastewater services across the region. Residents can rest assured that provision of drinking water and sanitation services will continue as normal. Recent rains have replenished the water supply dams, allowing water restrictions to be relaxed to 200 litres per person per day.
Drought Management Plan Update
The consultation period for the survey on water restrictions closed and a draft Drought Management Plan is being prepared. Opportunity for feedback on the draft plan will be available in coming months.
Pressure and Leakage
Leak detection has been completed across the whole net-work.
Leaks continue to be repaired as Council becomes aware of them.
Work continues to develop hydraulic models of the water supply network for the strategic management of leaks, efficient pressure management and future planning.
Water release from Leslie Dam by Sunwater
Water allocation for water storage level above 460.35m AHD is managed by Sunwater in accordance with the user agreements between Sunwater and licence holders. Sunwater controls how and when this water is released.
All releases for irrigation cease once the dam water level reaches 460.35 m AHD. The remaining supply is reserved exclusively for town water supply for Southern Downs Regional Council.
