The Mount Isa City Council is reminding residents of the need to be water wise as the region moves further into drought and lake levels decline.
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The city is currently on level 2 water restrictions with water levels at Lake Moondarra sitting at 33% capacity, and Lake Julius 73.4%.
Level 2 water restrictions are as follows for Mount Isa residential:
- Use of sprinklers, micro spray and drip systems fitted with timers restricted to 6:00am to 8:00am and 8:00pm to 10:00pm
- Use of hand held hoses, watering cans or buckets restricted to 6:00am to 9:00am and 6:00pm to 9:00pm
- On even dates for properties with even property numbers and odd dates for properties with odd numbers
- All properties may use hand held watering or sprinklers on the 31st day of the month
With the weather bureau predicting continuing below average rainfall, Mayor Joyce McCulloch said the city needs to step up efforts to preserve water supplies.
"The city’s current water consumption is well above the Level 2 target and is not sustainable given the ongoing lack of rain,” Cr McCulloch said.
"We need to make our reserves stretch as far as possible until we receive decent rain to re-fill our dams. “Everyone can help by sticking to the current Level 2 restrictions.”
Cr McCulloch said across the community households are asked to cut back their water use to delay the need for even tougher restrictions.
“We all need to use less water on our gardens, take shorter showers, use water efficient plumbing, turn taps off when shaving or brushing your teeth, and attend to any leaks and dripping taps,” she said.
Morning and evening hand held watering, and use of sprinklers, micro spray and drip irrigation systems are permitted on allocated days.
A $365 on the spot fine applies to anyone caught breaching the water restrictions.
"The council has compliance officers patrolling the city to check for breaches and provide advice and feedback to residents,” Cr McCulloch.
“We also have maintenance crews on the road looking for leaks and faults in the city’s reticulation system.
“All reported leaks are attended to within the same day where possible and the next business day after weekends and holidays with larger leaks dealt with immediately.”
For further information relating to water restrictions please visit www.mountisa.qld.gov.au/current-water-restrictions.