AS we move into the second week of water restrictions in the Manning and Forster-Tuncurry area, a daily water consumption target of 22 million litres per day has been set for the area.
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Water authority MidCoast Water is urging residents to do what they can to help make the water savings required to achieve the target.
MidCoast Water's general manager Robert Loadsman has called on the community's support to get the water supply through the hot and dry conditions currently being experienced.
"We need to reduce our water consumption to get to a sustainable level to see us through the next few weeks to months," Mr Loadsman said.
MidCoast Water introduced level three water restrictions last week as a result of low flows in the Manning River.
Prior to the restrictions, and during peak holiday time, usage was more than 30 million litres of water per day.
Since the introduction of restrictions, which ban the use of sprinklers and fixed hoses at all times and restrict the use of hand-held hoses and microspray systems, usage has fallen to around 25 - 27 million litres per day.
"The drop in consumption has been welcome and we do thank our customers for heeding the water saving message and helping to reduce the volume of water we are using, however we still have a way to go."
MidCoast Water will be tracking consumption on its website - www.midcoastwater.com.au - daily.
Restrictions
Under the level three restriction regime hand-held hoses can be used for up to one hour every second day, outside of the hours of 10am and 4pm.
Microspray systems can be used for up to 15 minutes every second day, outside the hours of 10am and 4pm.
Watering cans and buckets can be used at any time.
The restrictions operate on an 'odds and evens' system matching house numbers.
For example if your house number is 12, then you can water on all even days of the month ie 2nd, 4th, 6th etc.
If your house number is 13 you can water on all odd days of the month, i.e. 1st. 3rd, 5th etc
These restrictions apply to residents supplied by the Manning scheme - those in the area between Crowdy Head in the north and Tarbuck Bay in the south.
Details of the restrictions are available from MidCoast Water offices, via the customer service line on 1300 133 455 or on the website at www.midcoastwater.com.au
