On 11/9/2003, Toby Fiander posted:

Sydney Water has announced that as of October 1 there will be a complete ban on the use of all domestic irrigation other that drip systems and had held hoses at all times.  There is no time limit set for the lifting of these restrictions.  Here is a quote from the press release, which I have from the Irrigation Association of Australia.  I have left off the quotes for clarity's sake.


Voluntary water restrictions will be replaced by tough, new mandatory restrictions across Sydney, the Illawarra and Blue Mountains from Wednesday, October 1.

Fines of $220 will apply to water wasters who ignore the restrictions from Saturday, November 1, following a one-month warning period.
Mandatory water restrictions were last introduced in November 1994 and remained in place until October 1996.

Current dam levels have dropped to just 60.5% - 13.5% lower than this time last year.

Warragamba Dam is even lower at 58.8% - almost 17% less than this time last year.

>From October 1, the following mandatory water restrictions will apply:

• A ban on sprinklers and watering systems – at all times
• A ban on hosing hard surfaces, including vehicles, paths and buildings – at all times

>From October 1, only use a hand-held hose to water gardens, a broom to sweep paths and a bucket to wash vehicles.

The restrictions will apply to all Sydney Water customers, including residential, business and government in Sydney, the Illawarra and Blue Mountains.

The restrictions do not apply to drip irrigation, recycled water, fire fighting and related activities.

The goal is to reduce water consumption by at least 7% - requiring absolute compliance with the mandatory water restrictions.”

[ends]


Rob Geraghty replied:

The water level in the Gold Coast's Hinze dam crept above 50% briefly but is back under it again and dropping.  We've had water restrictions all year. Dunno what the state of the Brisbane dams are - presumably also poor.