Easing Water Restrictions in Mungindi - Returning to level 3 Water Restrictions

Easing Water Restrictions in Mungindi - Returning to Level 3 Water Restrictions - From Friday 13 March 2020

With recent heavy rainfall across the Shire and the Border River systems, Council has been evaluating the water restrictions in place for Mungindi, currently on Level 4 Water Restrictions.

Council is pleased to confirm that Mungindi’s water restrictions will be returned to Level 3 Water Restrictions from Friday 13 March 2020. (Details of these restrictions are included at the end of this Media Release.)

Over coming weeks, Council’s water team will be working through the operational requirements of adding river water back into Mungindi’s potable water supply. At all times, the paramount concern will be ensuring the supply of quality potable water to Mungindi residents.

Mayor Katrina Humphries noted that Council has always been committed to further easing of the water restrictions once the water supply for Mungindi had been secured, noting “We are really pleased that recent rainfall and flows through the river system will allow us to reduce water restrictions in Mungindi.

“Of course, I would love to see Mungindi without water restrictions at all, but we need to ensure that operationally we can manage this and at all times, provide potable water to our Mungindi community.

“With the river flowing, Council now has options available to it to supplement the water supply in Mungindi. We are in the process of adding river water to the artesian water to supplement the supply in Mungindi – we need to allow our water staff the time required to ensure that water can be treated in the volumes needed.

Further details of these water restrictions can be found within the Water Supply Schemes Drought Management Plan.

Level 3 Water Restrictions

Council has a Water Supply Schemes Drought Management Plan which prescribes the approach to adopting water restrictions. In accordance with this Plan, residents in Mungindi should adhere to the following Level 3 Water Restrictions as of 13 March 2020:

Hand held hoses only when watering lawns and gardens. Watering may only take place between 5:00am - 9:00am and 7:00pm - 10:00pm. Buckets may be used at any time. Paved and concrete surfaces are not to be washed down. New pools can only be filled with Council permission. Pool covers are mandatory. Car washing can only take place using a bucket with a trigger hose to rinse off the vehicle. Only trigger hoses may be used whilst doing home extensions or landscaping. Water can only be carted for domestic purposes. Residents are encouraged to only clothes wash when they have a full load. All fountains are to be turned off and not to be topped up except for safety reasons.

For Commercial and Industrial water users in Mungindi, the following will apply:

Irrigation (Efficient User) consumption should be reduced by 40%. Irrigation (Non Efficient User) consumption should be reduced by 40%. Water can only be carted for domestic purposes. Businesses must make greater endeavours to minimise water usage. Cars may only be washed using a bucket. Washing of commercial buildings and windows is discouraged.

These water restrictions will provide residents with clear guidelines on how they can reduce their water consumption.

If residents have any questions about these restrictions, they are encouraged to contact Council directly.