Gippsland Water is congratulating the entire community in the Gippsland Water service area for saving 750 million litres of water since water restrictions were introduced six months ago.
Gippsland Water's Chief Executive Officer John Mitchell said that the 750 megalitres of water saved is equivalent to the amount of water in 750 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
"We commend all Gippsland Water customers who have so diligently embraced the water restrictions and made such a great effort to save this amount of water, and in the space of just six months. It is an outstanding achievement, especially when you consider that the average household uses about 230 kilolitres of water every year. It means each home has saved around 5 per cent," Mr Mitchell said.
"This clearly demonstrates that water restrictions are beneficial in that we can better manage our scarce water resources in times of drought. It also shows that our customers are dedicated to saving water both inside and outside the home, in the workplace and out in the community."
Gippsland Water customers have been on water restrictions since the end of October last year, when Stage One Water Restrictions was introduced. Stage Two Water Restrictions followed in November, and Stage Three Water Restrictions was implemented across most of Gippsland Water's service area in January.
Eight key towns, including Boisdale, Boolarra, Coongulla, Glenmaggie, Maffra, Seaspray, Stratford and Thorpdale are currently on Stage Four Water Restrictions.
Under Stage Four Water Restrictions, watering gardens and lawns, and cleaning paved areas is banned; a bucket filled directly from a tap can only be used to wash vehicle windows, mirrors and lights, and for spot-removing corrosive substances; and pools and spas above 2,000 litres requires approval from Gippsland Water.
Mr Mitchell said that Gippsland Water will continue to conduct audits and water patrols across the region to ensure all customers comply with their current level of water restrictions.
"We have appreciated the community support to date and we encourage our customers to keep up the great effort in saving water wherever possible. We confidently look forward to the Gippsland community continuing to comply with the water restrictions currently in place," Mr Mitchell said.
Key restrictions that apply under Stage Three Water Restrictions include:
- For garden beds only:
- Hand-held or manual dripper systems can only be used between 6am-8am and 8pm-10pm twice a week*.
- Automatic dripper systems can only be used between midnight to 4am twice a week*.
- Watering lawns is banned.
- Using an automatic or manual spray watering system is banned.
- Water must not be used to clean any part of a vehicle other than its windows, mirrors and lights, and spot-removing corrosive substances. Water must be from a bucket filled directly from a tap (and not from a hose). A commercial car wash is permitted under strict restrictions and requirements.
- New pools and spas cannot be filled. An existing pool or spa can only be filled with a bucket filled directly from a tap. Filling an existing pool or spa of 2,000 litres or more requires approval from Gippsland Water.
*Odd-numbered houses can water during the specific times on Sundays and Wednesdays. Even-numbered houses can water during the specific times on Saturdays and Tuesdays. Properties with no number are considered even for the purpose of restriction compliance. All watering (by any method) is banned on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays.
Customers who would like more information on water conservation and water restrictions can visit the Gippsland Water website at www.gippswater.com.au, or contact the Gippsland Water Service Centre on 1800 066 401.
4 May 2007