Stage 2 restrictions will be suspended on Monday 25 August, although the corporation is urging customers to continue their water-saving patterns beyond summer.

Acting managing director Keith Gregory said: "Our customers have shown tremendous restraint in their water use and we believe they are now sufficiently aware of the importance of saving water.

"This commendable attitude, and our security of water supply, made us realise we could not justify maintaining and monitoring water restrictions in the foreseeable future."

He continued: "Suspending stage 2 restrictions will mean that, rather than having our water conservation officers monitoring any misuse of water, they can now assist all of our customers by providing advice on how to conserve water through water savings. While this will benefit all, it will be of particular value to our concession and elderly customers."

At the start of August Candowie Reservoir reached more than 90% of capacity, with more rainfall projected. Although it still had almost three months left of its pumping licence, Westernport Water suspended pumping winterfill water from Bass River as the reservoir reached 2040ML.

The same week in 2007 saw the reservoir containing 1193ML and, in 2006, just 937ML.

"It was obvious we had enough water to last into next winter – even with the added demands of summer tourists and special events," Mr Gregory said. "All the indications are we have enough water, and our customers are wised-up to use it sensibly.

"All the investment, all the modelling and technical work undertaken by our staff and contractors is starting to reap rewards," he added. "But, most importantly, has been the commitment of our customers to save water. This will be something wide-ranging and long-lived – a real change that will mean real results for years to come."

Westernport Water will continue to closely monitor levels at Candowie Reservoir. "We know the water storage is subject to sudden fluctuations and keep daily records of storage levels," Mr Gregory said.

"We will now be operating under our permanent water savings plan(see below), details of which will be communicated to all customers in the press, on our web site (www.westernportwater.com.au) and customer newsletters."

Permanent water savings plan

Permanent water saving rules will apply to all areas serviced by Westernport Water from August 25, 2008.

These rules apply at all times except when water restriction by-laws are operational.

These measures do not apply to the use of recycled water, greywater or rainwater collected in a tank, provided it is not supplemented by water supplied by Westernport Water. 

SUMMARY

1. Handheld hoses must be fitted with a trigger nozzle and then may be used to wash wash cars and water garden and lawns at any time.
2. Manual watering systems can only be used between 7pm and 10am.
3. Automatic watering systems can only be used between 10pm and 10am.
4. No hosing of paved areas except in specified circumstances.
5. Before filling new pools/spas with a capacity of 2000 litres or more, a water conservation plan must be lodged with, and approved by, Westernport water.
6. Non-residential customers who use more than 10ML/year of drinking water must develop a water management action plan (called a waterMAP). 

MORE DETAILS:

1. Handheld hoses must be fitted with a trigger nozzle, be in good condition ad not leak. They can be used to wash cars and water gardens and lawns at any time. A handheld hose may only be used to flush a boat motor if it is fitted with an appropriate flushing device.
2. Manual watering systems (that you turn on and off by hand) can only be used to water gardens and lawns between 7pm and 10am any day of the week. This measure applies to public gardens, sports grounds and recreational areas, too.
3. Automatic water systems (that are set to turn on and off automatically) can be used only to water gardens and lawns between 10pm and 10am, any day of the week. A rain or soil moisture sensor must be fitted to all systems installed from 1 June 2006 onwards. These measures also apply to public gardens, sports grounds and recreational areas.
4. NO hosing of paved areas is permitted except in specified circumstances.

A paved area is any courtyard, footpath, driveway or other area with a concrete, asphalt, brick, tile, bitumen, timber decking or similar surface.

Paved areas must not be cleaned with water from a hose, unless cleaning is required as a result of:

-          An accident, fire, health hazard or other emergency

-          An identifiable safety hazard that has developed and a handheld hose fitted with a trigger nozzle or high-pressure water cleaning unit is used.

-          When there is staining to the surface such as that caused by oil, animal/bird faeces or plant material. Either a handheld hose fitted with a trigger nozzle or a high-pressure water cleaning unit must be used and then only once per season.

-          When the paved area is under construction or renovation, if a high-pressure water cleaning unit is used.

5. Before filling new pools/spas (with a capacity of 2000 litres or more), a water conservation plan that details water conservation measures must be lodged with, and approved by, Westernport Water. A water conservation plan application form is available by contacting the customer service team on 1300 720 711 or can be downloaded from www.westernportwater.com.au. The plan must show that the volume of water needed to fill the pool or spa will be, or has been, offset by water saved around the home.

New pools or spas that hold less than 2000 litres of water can be filled without a water conservation plan, and previously filled pools or spas of any size may be topped up by any means at any time.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: susanw@ptarmigan.com.au

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