Water Restrictions - Level 2

Mayors Message

Council on 7th October 2009 resolved to adopt level 2 water restrictions.

Under Level 2 restrictions, watering times may be undertaken from 6pm to 10am daily but must not exceed a total of 12 hours per week. It is recommended that watering not take place during the heat of the day.

Council will monitor restrictions monthly. Council is also able to water parks and gardens.

MARGARET THOMSON
Mayor

Watering Guidelines

The Wentworth Shire Council advises that the following water restrictions will be effective from 7th October 2009. These water restrictions are consistent with the NSW Government requirements for Level 2 restrictions.

Watering Criteria

A residential garden may be watered for a maximum of 12 hours per week
Watering may be undertaken at any time between the hours of 6pm and 10am, but must not exceed a total of 12 hours per week.
Watering can only be done by hand held hoses with trigger nozzles, automatic dripper or manual dripper systems or moveable sprinklers operating through a tap timer / automated system.
Lawns may be watered using a hand held hose with trigger nozzle, or a tap timer automated system.

The owner of any property watering a residential lawn or using a non-complying watering system will be advised in writing that further non-compliance will be addressed by the installation of a restrictor in the raw water supply to the property concerned.

Watering of Lawns	Yes
Motor Vehicles	Motor vehicles may now be washed with a hand held hose and trigger nozzle or high pressure system provided it is done on a soft surface.
Sports grounds	A Sports ground used for competitive sport may only be in accordance with an approved Water Conservation Plan.
Trees/Shrubs	Yes.
Garden Beds	Yes.

Note: Greywater and rainwater may be used at any time.

Other Watering

Swimming Pools & Spas	New pools and spas may be filled from Council’s water supply. Existing pools may be filled by automated systems or by hand held hose with trigger nozzle.
Paved Areas & Hard Surfaces Building/Construction	Water must not be used to clean a hard surface unless cleaning is required as a result of: an accident, fire, health hazard, safety hazard or other emergency and a hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle is used.
Market Gardens & Orchards	Written permission by Council only.
Nurseries & Commercial Flower Growers	Written permission by Council only.
Other Businesses	Motels and other relevant businesses may water lawns. Contact Council for details.
Sports Greens (Bowling & Golf)	Prohibited unless specific exemption granted.
Fountains	Prohibited A fountain or water feature must not be operated unless it recirculates all water used. A fountain or water feature must not be filled or topped up.
Water Cartage from Town Supply	With Council Licence only.
Auto Flush Toilets	Prohibited.

Water must not be used for any other purpose without the prior written permission of Council

The Shire has imposed new water restrictions from 7th October 2009 for SHIRE PROVIDED raw and filtered water services. Outside watering must be in accordance with these watering guidelines. Greywater or rainwater may be used at any time

In the event of drought continuing, there is a possibility that some rural residents may run out of water. In such cases the Shire will make water available at current charges for transport in permitted tankers.

These restrictions apply only to water provided by the Shire. For other water sources e.g. rivers, please contact State Water: Telephone 5051 6215 or 5051 6216.

If you require further information regarding water restrictions, please call the Wentworth Shire Council on Tel: (03) 5027 5027.

PETER KOZLOWSKI
General Manager

How can residents help to save water?

You can help cut your own water bills - and help the environment in general - by following these tips on saving water:

A medium sized bath, about 1 500mm or 1650mm long, is as comfortable and cleansing as a big bath, and uses a great deal less water.
Conventional showerheads deliver water at flow rates above 25 litres/min. A perfectly pleasant shower can, however, be obtained with flow rates well below 10 litres/min. Showerheads with flow rates as low as 4,5 litres/min are available and their use will show a significant saving. Advice should be sought from a registered plumber.
Install washbasin taps with aerator outlets. The aerator mixes air with the water, resulting in a lower flow rate (five to 10 litres per minute, which splashes less and feels quite pleasant on the skin).
Install toilets that have cisterns with a maximum flush capacity of nine litres.
Ensure that overflow pipes and drainpipes terminate at places where they can be readily seen and managed.
If the kitchen is remote from the water heater, consider installing a small one (15 litre capacity) or an instantaneous type water heater at the sink.
Consider installing a pressure control valve in your supply system to reduce the mains pressure to a maximum of 300 kPa. In many cases, a pressure of only 200 kPa will be enough to operate the water fittings effectively. This will help you save money in other ways. A pressure control valve will reduce unnecessarily high flow rates from the outlets and will increase the life of fittings, washers and the hoses on appliances. A registered plumber should be consulted to advise on these possibilities as a retrofit option.
You're probably spending a lot on watering your garden. Indigenous plants are far less water-hungry than exotics.
Avoid washing down the driveway with a hose. Sweeping is just as effective.
Don't put anything down the toilet besides toilet paper.
Fix cistern or tap leaks immediately. A leaking tap means 6 000 to 12 000 litres of water is lost every month.
Don't dump any foreign objects into sewer manholes and gullies.
Don't cover manhole covers with heavy or immoveable objects.
Consider installing modern dual flush cistern toilets. Each flush of the toilet uses 10-12 litres of water.

More information on Water Conservation.