Water restrictions start tomorrow

Map showing the area included in Stage 1 water restrictions.
Click on map to enlarge.

TASWATER customers throughout the Derwent Valley are included in Stage 1 water restrictions which start in the greater Hobart region tomorrow (Friday). These restrictions are expected to be in place until February.

“Stage 1 restrictions require only small changes to how people use water,” TasWater chief executive Michael Brewster said. “But with almost 100 thousand connections in the region, even small changes can have a significant impact on the amount of water available in the system.”

Mr Brewster said the decision to introduce water restrictions followed careful consideration of the advice of TasWater’s engineers and scientists who continually monitor the drinking water network across the state.

The following guidelines apply to the great Hobart area, including customers on town water supplies at New Norfolk, Westerway, National Park and Bushy Park.

Residential, public and commercial gardens and lawns - Garden and lawn watering is allowed on any day during the following times:

• Manual watering systems can only be used between the hours of 6am and 8am and between the hours of 8pm and 10pm
• Automatic watering systems can only be used between the hours of midnight and 4am
• Handheld hoses with a trigger nozzle, buckets or watering cans may be used at any time.

Sporting grounds - Watering of sports grounds is allowed on any day during the following times:

• Manual watering systems can only be used between the hours of 6am and 8am and between the hours of 8pm and 10pm
• Automatic watering systems can only be used between the hours of midnight and 4am
• Handheld hoses with a trigger nozzle, buckets or watering cans may be used at any time.

Paving, concrete and other hard surfaces:

• Hosing is banned except for construction purposes, in an emergency or for health or safety hazard.

Washing vehicles:

• A bucket, high pressure cleaning device or commercial car wash can be used at any time for vehicle washing
• A handheld hose fitted with a trigger nozzle can only be used for pre-rinsing and rinsing at home.

Residential or commercial pools and spas:

• Topping-up of pools and spas only using a hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, a bucket, watering can or auto-device.

Emptying and refilling existing pools and spas, and filling new pools and spas:

• Up to 2000 litres: may only be refilled, or filled for the first time, using a hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, a bucket or automatic water top-up device
• More than 2000 litres: may only be refilled, or filled for the first time when the property owner has an approved exemption from TasWater.