Current Water Restrictions and Dam Levels

Target:

• All of region: 200 litres per person, per day

Drought Preparation is the first stage of Council’s water supply response.

At this level, Council focuses on preparation, monitoring and community awareness.

This may include:

• monitoring dam, bore and storage levels
• reviewing water use across Council operations
• preparing community information and signage
• preparing water-saving fact sheets and resources
• monitoring standpipe use
• working with key stakeholders and government agencies
•  encouraging long-term waterwise habits

Targets:

• Stanthorpe: 150 litres per person, per day
• Rest of region: 170 litres per person, per day

Low Level Water Restrictions are designed to reduce water use early while still allowing limited outdoor water use. Under Low Level Water Restrictions:

The following uses for water are only permitted from 6am to 8am and 5pm to 7pm daily:

• Sprinklers
• Outdoor watering - limited to handheld hoses with trigger nozzles or buckets only.
• Vehicle washing - limited to handheld hoses with trigger nozzles, high-pressure cleaners, watering cans or buckets filled directly from a tap.
• Cleaning paved or concrete surfaces is - limited to handheld hoses with trigger nozzles, high-pressure cleaners, watering cans or buckets filled directly from a tap. 
• Water play equipment connected to hoses.

Outside of these hours, the above activities are not permitted. 

Standpipe access limits also apply - up to 5,000 litres per week, per property - larger amounts can be approved by Manager Water& Wastewater based on families with more than 5 people living on a property.

Targets:

• Stanthorpe: 120 litres per person, per day
• Rest of region: 150 litres per person, per day

Medium Level Water Restrictions introduce stronger water-saving measures.

Under Medium Level Water Restrictions:

• Watering hours remain as 6am to 8am and 5pm to 7pm, but outdoor watering is limited to every second day.
• Pool or spa top-ups by unattended hose are permitted before 8am and after 6pm every second day - only if all available rainwater at the premises has been used first.
• Filling new or repaired pools requires written permission from the Manager Water and Wastewater.
• Filling or topping up children’s play pools is not permitted.
• Existing ponds supporting fish or bird life may be topped up to normal level using a watering can or bucket filled directly from a tap - up to 1,000 litres.
• Cleaning paved or concrete surfaces is only permitted where required to avoid or respond to an accident, fire, health hazard or other emergency - limited to the use of a hand-held hose with trigger nozzle, high-pressure cleaner, watering can or bucket filled directly from a tap.
• Vehicle washing is permitted only when using a watering can or bucket filled directly from a tap.
• Mobile water tanker filling is only permitted for use inside premises, specified building works, firefighting or stock watering.
• Anyone using water from a mobile water tanker or standpipe must comply with the current restrictions.
• Non-residential users are asked to aim for a 20% reduction in water use.
• Watering grass is not permitted.
• Standpipe access is permitted up to 4,000 litres per week per property*.

 * larger amounts can be approved by Manager Water& Wastewater based on families with more than 5 people living on a property.

Targets:

• Stanthorpe: 100 litres per person, per day
• Rest of region: 120 litres per person, per day

High Level Water Restrictions involve a significant reduction in outdoor potable water use.

Under High Level Water Restrictions:

• Gardens may be watered by watering can or bucket filled from a tap for a maximum of one hour per day, before 8am and after 6pm every second day.
• Topping up swimming pools or spas using potable town water is not permitted.
• Existing ponds supporting fish or bird life may be topped up to normal level using a watering can or bucket filled directly from a tap.
• Cleaning paved or concrete surfaces is only permitted where required to avoid or respond to an accident, fire, health hazard or other emergency - limited to the use of a hand-held hose with trigger nozzle, high-pressure cleaner, watering can or bucket filled directly from a tap.
• Vehicle washing is permitted only when using a watering can or bucket filled directly from a tap.
• Mobile water tanker filling is only permitted for use inside premises, specified building works or stock watering, and may be further restricted.
• Watering public gardens is not permitted unless approved in writing by the water service provider.
• Potable water use for green areas such as parks may be further restricted as determined by Council.
• Non-residential users are asked to aim for an additional 5% reduction in water use.
• Standpipe access is permitted up to 3,000 litres per week per property*.

Target:

• All of region: 100 litres per person, per day

Critical Level Water Restrictions are the highest restriction level.

This level focuses on essential water use for drinking, basic hygiene and core community needs.

At this level, Council may introduce further restrictions, limit non-essential water use, increase compliance activity and provide more frequent water security updates.

Specific rules will be confirmed and communicated if Critical Level Water Restrictions are introduced.