-FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-
18 September 2019
CGRC urges residents to be Water Wise.
Water! It’s a precious commodity, and with the long dry spells the region has been enduring Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council (CGRC) is urging residents to be Water Wise.
Whilst the residents of Gundagai have had mandatory level 2 restrictions in place since April, CGRC is urging residents across the regional area to be Water Wise.
Level 2 restrictions are as follows:
- Fixed hoses and sprinklers banned between restriction times (1st October to 31st March 9:00am to 6:00pm and 1st April to 30 September 9:00am to 4:00pm)
- Fixed hoses and sprinklers to be on a timer.
- Washing of vehicles on lawns with a hose permitted provided the use of a trigger cut off nozzle.
- Hosing of paths and driveways banned.
- Water runoff onto roads or gutters banned.
There are a number of ways residents across the region can conserve water. CGRC will be promoting Water Wise tips through the CGRC website and social media platforms and is encouraging members of the community to adopt voluntary water saving tactics.
Every resident can make a difference to the amount of water they save by:
- Washing vehicles on lawns with a hose fitted with a trigger cut off nozzle.
- Ensure water runoff is not onto roads or gutters.
- Use a broom or rake to clean your driveways and hard surfaces.
- Run grey water onto lawns and/or gardens where possible.
- Water gardens and lawns in the evening or early morning. The advantages are the winds tend to be calmer, so sprinkler spray doesn’t drift, and low temperatures mean you lose less from evaporation. Watering early in the day provides the plants with moisture for vigorous growth during the day and prevents heat stress. In contrast, evening watering must contend with remaining soil heat from the day, but winds may be dying down, allowing sprinklers to spray where they should.
- Install timers on garden taps.
Inside the home, water saving tips include:
- Keeping shower times to four minutes or less. Taking shorter showers is one of the best ways to help conserve water.
- Waiting until the dishwasher or washing machine is fully loaded before turning it on.
- Turn off the tap whilst brushing teeth or shaving.
- Washing vegetables and rinsing dishes in a plugged sink or basin – not under a running tap.
- Install a WELS 3 star rated water saving showerhead and WELS 4 star rated water efficient taps to save on water and energy costs.
- Don’t waste the cold water as you wait for it to heat, collect it in a bucket or basin and use to water pot plants. A running tap can use 10 litres of water per minute.
- Save 50L of water when you reduce your washing by one load a week.
Residents can also save water by inspecting and fixing any dripping taps. One leaking tap can waste up to 2,000 litres of water per month. Check for external water leaks and get to know your water metre, if the numbers on it are turning while no water is being used in your home, you could have an undetected leak on your property.
Remember be Water Wise and save this precious commodity.
