By Jeremy Sollars
The Southern Downs Regional Council has no immediate plans to increase water restrictions across the region, despite the continuation of dry conditions and Leslie Dam being at just over 11 per cent of capacity.
Warwick and Stanthorpe both received well below average rainfall in April, with Warwick officially recording 5mm (Hermitage), compared to the long-term average for the month of 28.6mm, while Stanthorpe faired only a little better, recording 11.2mm (Leslie Parade), as against its long-term April average of 42mm.
Warwick’s Leslie Dam has a total capacity of 106,250 mega litres (ML) but as of this week has just 11,804ML in storage, or 11.11 per cent of full capacity.
Storm King Dam in Stanthorpe has 1963ML in storage this week, representing 75.8 per cent of full capacity.
A council spokeswoman told the Free Times that under the Drought Management Plan “the Southern Downs region would move to further water restrictions when Leslie Dam reached 7.5 per cent capacity”.
“The council’s Water and Wastewater team is currently working on a new Water Efficiency Plan which will go out for public consultation later this year,” the spokeswoman said.
“Council encourages everyone in the community to be conscious of their water usage, to be water efficient and to continue to practise being water wise – checking for leaks, installing water efficient devices and appliances, taking shorter showers and fix leaking taps and toilets as soon as possible.
“Council would like to remind residents that permanent water restrictions are currently in place across the entire Southern Downs region.
“Permanent water conservation measures will be in force even when water supplies are plentiful.
“This is an ongoing reminder to residents and businesses to use water efficiently at all times.
“The restrictions outline a 230 litre maximum consumption target per person per day.”
To find out more about water restrictions visit www.sdrc.qld.gov.au
