STORAGES HIT 60 PER CENT BUT NO ROOM FOR COMPLACENCY
11 October 2005
Melbourne’s water storages have reached 60% capacity, helped by recent rainfall and the water conservation efforts of Melburnians.
Water Minister John Thwaites said that water storages were last at 60 per cent in January this year on the way down from a high of 60.7 per cent in December 2004.
“Prior to that, the last time our storages hit 60 per cent was on January 15, 2001,” Mr Thwaites said.
“But there is no room for complacency, with forecasters warning that climate change will mean that we have less water in the future.
“Also, storage levels are only 2.6 per cent higher than at this time last year and it will take 5 years of average rainfall for storages to return to pre-drought levels.”
With the hotter months of the year looming, Mr Thwaites urged Melburnians to continue their water saving efforts.
“Melburnians have done a fantastic job in saving water – with consumption last year nearly 20 per cent lower than in the 1990s. I’d urge Melburninas to follow the Bracks Government’s Permanent Water Saving Rules introduced earlier this year.
“These are commonsense rules that the Government put in place earlier this year, to help entrench water conservation as a life long habit.”
The five Permanent Water Saving Rules are:
Use manual watering systems only between 8pm and 10am
Manual watering systems (turned on or off by hand) can only be used to water gardens and lawns between 8pm-10am, any day of the week. This rule also applies to public gardens and recreational areas.
Use automatic watering systems only between 10pm and 10am
Automatic watering systems (those set to turn on or off automatically) can only be used to water gardens and lawns between 10pm and 10am any day of the week. A rain or soil moisture sensor must be fitted to all new systems installed from 1 September 2005. These rules also apply to public gardens and recreational areas.
Fit your hose with a trigger nozzle
A hand held hose must be fitted with a trigger nozzle and can be used to wash your car and water your gardens and lawns at any time.
No hosing paved areas
Hosing down driveways, paths, concrete and other paved areas is not permitted.
Apply to fill a new pool
Before filling a new pool or spa with a capacity of 2,000 litres or more, owners must submit a plan and have it approved by their government water retailer. This plan must show how the volume of water required to fill the pool or spa will be, or has been offset, by water saved around the home. This rule only applies to new pools or spas