Maryborough moves to level one water restrictions

Maryborough and surrounding areas are moving back to level one water restrictions from today (Tuesday 16 November 2021) as the city’s main water storage, Teddington Weir, is overflowing after recent rain.

Fraser Coast Regional Council CEO Ken Diehm said while the recent rain had topped up Teddington Weir, Lenthalls Dam was still only just over half full meaning Hervey Bay would remain on level three water restrictions.

“With Teddington Weir at more than 100 per cent full, Maryborough and surrounding areas move back to level one water restrictions, which are essentially permanent water conservation measures,” he said.

“This means Maryborough residents can water their gardens and lawns with a water efficient hose at any time, and can use sprinklers and irrigation systems between 4pm and 9am the next day.

“In the Hervey Bay water supply network, the new level three water restrictions remain in place, which means sprinklers and irrigation systems are banned and established gardens can only be watered with a hose for an hour a day three days a week.”

Mr Diehm said  Council had introduced level three water restrictions for the Hervey Bay water supply network for the first time since 2007 to try to reduce daily water use by at least 20 per cent and slow down the reduction of Lenthalls Dam.

“About half our water use is outdoors so that’s where the most opportunities are to save water and where restrictions are targeted,” he said.

“We acknowledge level three water restrictions are tough, and we thank everyone for doing their bit to help conserve our water supplies.

“With the significant rain in the Mary River catchment allowing restrictions to be eased in Maryborough, we are hopeful we will get some better falls in the Lenthalls Dam catchment so restrictions can be eased in Hervey Bay soon too.”

Full details are available at https://www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/water-restrictions

Mr Diehm said Council had engaged engineering firm Cardno to assess the Fraser Coast’s water supply security, consider future options and determine the community’s expectations around the use of water restrictions balanced with the costs of additional infrastructure.

“A range of options are being considered including the establishment of a Fraser Coast ‘water grid’ with an interconnector allowing water to be transferred between the Hervey Bay and Maryborough water storages,” he said.

“Initial community consultation was carried out earlier this year and we expect the water supply security strategy to be finalised by March 2022.”

More information about the Fraser Coast water supply security strategy is available at https://frasercoast.engagementhub.com.au/water-supply-security-strategy

Level one water restrictions, which now apply in Maryborough, include:

• Gardens and lawns can be watered at any time with hand-held hoses (fitted with a water efficient trigger nozzle);
• Irrigation systems (sprinklers, drippers, soaker hoses) can be used between 4pm and 9am the next day but must be fitted with a manual or automatic timer;
• 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 by hose is permitted at any time for a maximum of five minutes;
• Filling of swimming pools, spas and water features is permitted at any time with hand-held hoses (fitted with a water efficient trigger nozzle); and
• Vehicle and boat cleaning is permitted at any time with hand-held hoses (fitted with a water efficient trigger nozzle).

Level three water restrictions, which apply in Hervey Bay and the surrounding areas stretching from Burrum Heads and Howard across to River Heads, include:

• Hand-held hoses are permitted between 5pm and 6pm to water established gardens at even numbered properties on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and odd numbered properties on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, but must have a water efficient nozzle;
• Irrigation systems (sprinklers, drippers, soaker hoses) are banned and watering established lawns with town water is not permitted;
• Washing windows and external walls, and cleaning paved or concrete surfaces, is only allowed with buckets. Commercial cleaning businesses can use high pressure cleaners;
• Boat motor and trailer flushing is permitted at any time for a maximum of five minutes at a low water flow;
• Filling existing swimming pools, spas and water features is permitted with buckets at any time and with hand-held hoses before 8am or after 5pm to maintain minimum operating levels; and
• Washing cars, boats and pets can only be done with a bucket. Children’s play pools, toys and water slides cannot be used.