Critical water restrictions take effect from Sunday

A southern Queensland council area is about to be hit with some of the toughest water restrictions the state has ever seen, with residents required to cut their water usage by 20-30 per cent to meet the target. 

SOUTHERN Downs residents will be asked to conserve more water from September 1, when critical water restrictions come into effect.

Individuals will be limited to 100L per day, while every business is required to reduce their usage by 10 per cent, off their current levels.

The Southern Downs Regional Council's new restrictions will require everyone to do more to conserve water.

As of Monday, August 26, estimated average water use per person per day for Warwick was 129L. For Stanthorpe it was 158L.

Residents are also required to regularly check their own water metres to better track usage.

Under critical restrictions, all beautification activities are prohibited.

These activities include house painting, exposed aggregate driveways, roof washing, and preparation work to renew decks.

An exception can be made for beautification activities if water used for these activities is sourced from outside the Southern Downs region.

These water restrictions apply to anyone accessing Southern Downs Regional Council drinking water supplies across the region.

If the situation does not improve the council will move to emergency restrictions, limiting water use to 80L per person, per day.

Stanthorpe water reserves at Storm King Dam sit at 23.1 per cent, or 477ML. Based on the council projections it will run dry by Christmas.

Warwick's supply at Leslie Dam is 5.97 per cent, or 6343ML. Connolly Dam is at 34.3 per cent, or 742ML. It there is no significant rain Warwick will run dry by December 2020.

Click here for more detail, including a guide to reading your water meter.

Originally published as Critical water restrictions take effect from Sunday