ACTEW has announced a change in water restrictions following excellent winter rains which have pushed the dam levels up to 65%. So from 1 September we’re going down to Stage 2.
Under Stage 2 Water Restrictions some limited lawn watering and car washing is allowed and conditions for topping up ponds and swimming pools are slightly eased.
While they don’t want us going hog wild with the water it seems they think the worst is past:
“ACTEW is confident that now is the right time to relax restrictions and farewell Stage 3; we do not expect to see a return to Stage 3 Water Restrictions,” said Mr Sullivan.
He said recent rain was a key factor in enabling the change, but not the only one: “With combined dam levels at more than 65%, a positive weather outlook indicating wetter than normal conditions for the remainder of 2010 and good progress towards the Cotter Dam enlargement and other water security projects, ACTEW was able to make a decision to ease restrictions after nearly four years of Stage 3.”
UPDATE: ACTEW have now added a handy pdf to their site explaining exactly what Stage 2 circa 2010 entails:
You may water your lawn between 7am and 10am or between 7pm and 10pm on alternate days following the odds and evens system. You must however only use either a hand-held hose with a trigger nozzle, a bucket, a watering can or drippers. Use of sprinklers is not allowed on lawns or gardens.
Ponds may be topped up using a hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, a bucket or a watering can.
Swimming pools may be topped up, following the odds and evens system; provided that they are covered when not in use.You can wash your car no more than once a month, on porous surfaces with a bucket and a hand-held hose with a trigger nozzle or a high-pressure low-volume cleaner. Your vehicle may be washed any time at a commercial car wash.
Large businesses, commercial operators and Government need to continue meeting a target reduction in water use, aiming for 25% compared to non-restriction years.