Special watering times to end soon

Special watering times on the Fraser Coast that were introduced to allow gardens to be watered earlier in the afternoon will end on 30 September 2021.

Mayor George Seymour said level two water restrictions took effect on the Fraser Coast in March, which meant the use of sprinklers and irrigations systems was only permitted three nights a week and limited the hours during which gardens could be watered with a hand held hose.

“The Fraser Coast has not had enough rainfall over the past 16 months in our dam catchment, with level two water restrictions introduced to help reduce water consumption,” he said.

“Council received requests from the community, particularly elderly residents, to reconsider the times for when hand held hoses were permitted as it gets dark earlier during winter.

“We listened to that feedback and allowed hand held hoses with a water efficient nozzle to be used between 4pm and 8am the next day instead of between 6pm and 8am the next day.

“Those special watering times are coming to an end on 30 September 2021, with watering gardens with hand held hoses to again only be permitted between 6pm and 8am the next day.

“We encourage Fraser Coast residents to continue to watch their water use, particularly outdoors, to help delay the need for even tougher water restrictions.

“It might be mulching your garden, using a swimming pool cover or checking regularly for water leaks – every little bit helps and every drop counts. By being water-wise, you not only save water, you also save money on your water bill.”

Level Two water restrictions currently in place include:

• Hand held hoses are permitted between 4pm and 8am the next day but must have a water efficient trigger nozzle (changing back to between 6pm and 8am from 30 September 2021);
• Irrigation systems (sprinklers, drippers, soaker hoses) are permitted on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays between 6pm and 8am the next day;
• Washing windows and cleaning paved or concrete surfaces, external walls or public facilities is permitted at any time but only with a water efficient, high pressure device (eg gerni);
• Boat motor and trailer flushing is permitted at any time for a maximum of five minutes at a low water flow;
• Filling of swimming pools, spas and water features is only permitted between 6pm and 8am and must be monitored at all times;
• Vehicle and boat cleaning is permitted at an time with handheld hoses (fitted with a water efficient trigger nozzle) and
• Water tanks connected to or topped up by drinking water supply are subject to the current water restrictions.

More information about Fraser Coast’s current level two water restrictions is available at https://www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/water-restrictions