THE city's water consumption has increased in recent weeks, Mount Isa Mayor Tony McGrady told the council's monthly meeting during debate on a motion to impose stricter restrictions.
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``I did note on the weekly consumption report that consumption of water had risen in the last couple of weeks,'' Cr McGrady said.
He said it was disappointing to have to impose stricter restrictions, but there was no alternative.
The council voted unanimously to introduce the stricter controls.
Cr McGrady also reassured residents that the water was safe to drink.
``With regards to the quality of the water, the Mount Isa City Council, Mount Isa Mines and Mount Isa Water Board and, of course, the Department of Public Health meet and discuss [the issue] on a regular basis.
``We are assured that the water is certainly safe to drink.
``There is no way any member of this council will sit by and allow the water of this city to be consumed by the public if we had the slightest doubt that it wasn't safe,'' he said.
The new restrictions begin at midnight on Monday, November 18.
The measures are _ * In private gardens, the use of sprinklers, micro-spray and drip systems fitted with timers will be restricted from 8-10pm on even dates for properties with even property numbers and odd dates for properties with odd property numbers.
* The use of hand-held hoses, watering cans or buckets will be restricted to 6-9pm on even dates for properties with even property numbers and odd dates for properties with odd property numbers.
* In public gardens, the use of sprinklers is restricted to every second day for beautification areas inaccessible to a water truck, with automatic systems set for maximum duration of 15 minutes per cycle from 7pm to 7am. Municipal watering by water truck using recycled effluent or bore water only is permitted at any time.
* The topping up of existing ponds is prohibited unless the pond is supporting fish life.
* The operation of fountains is not permitted unless they fully recycle water.
* Low-pressure (tap supply) water hosing down of pavements is not permitted unless using a high-pressure cleaner _ even dates for properties with even property numbers and odd dates for properties with odd property numbers. The use of high-pressure cleaning to address safety or health issues is exempt.
* Households are required to adopt water-conservation practices such as not leaving a tap running while brushing teeth, limiting showers to four minutes and installing water-saving devices.
* Filling new or empty pools and spas is not permitted. Existing pools and spas may be topped up as per garden watering times.
* Topping up of potable usage tanks will only be permitted with written permission from the council. Usage from the tank is to comply with requirements of this restriction.
* Use of potable water on sporting grounds is not permitted unless for active playing surfaces. Bore water use is permitted.
* Window cleaning may only be carried out using water from a bucket.
FOR more information on water restrictions, go to www.mountisa.qld.gov.au/water-restrictions1
