More Derwent Valley towns on water restrictions

Map showing the parts of southern Tasmania now included in
in Stage 1 water restrictions. Click map to enlarge.

WATER restrictions have today been extended to several Derwent Valley towns not included in the original declaration late last month.

In a statement, TasWater said it was acting to protect drinking water supplies across the state and to manage the uncertainty around rainfall in the immediate future.

Water restrictions are now in force across most of Tasmania, except for Circular Head, King Island, West Coast and the Huon Valley.

Locally, the restrictions now apply in Maydena, Ellendale, Hamilton, Ouse and Wayatinah, as well as the rest of the Derwent Valley and Central Highlands council areas on town water supplies.

“Although these sorts of measures are a regular occurrence in other parts of Australia, this is the first time such widespread restrictions have been necessary for Tasmania,” TasWater's Ruth Dowty said. "It comes in recognition that the outlined areas have experienced dry conditions and low rainfall for the past 36 months coupled with advice from the Bureau of Meteorology that these conditions are likely to persist through the cooler months.

“By implementing restrictions now, we can build up our storage and prepare greater safeguards against the possibility of dry conditions into next summer. We may experience some rainfall in the meantime, but the BOM advice is that it will take several months of above-average rain to make up the deficits in our waterways and reservoirs. We are asking community members to work together to help ensure there is enough for everyone,” Ms Dowty said.

Stage 1 water restrictions now apply in the following Derwent Valley locations until March 31:

• Ellendale
• Fentonbury
• Westerway
• Bushy Park
• Glenora
• Gretna
• New Norfolk
• Hamilton
• Ouse
• Maydena
• Bronte Park

STAGE 1 RESTRICTIONS

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.

"TasWater appreciates the support of the Tasmanian community in assisting with ensuring the ongoing availability of safe and reliable drinking water," Ms Dowty said

More information about water restrictions, and a full list of areas affected, can be found on the
TasWater website.