WATER ALLOCATION

Conserving water is a high priority for Mount Isa. The standard allocation for a private residence is 950 KL (950,000 litres) per year - 900 KL for use on your property and 50 KL to maintain the nature strip.

It can be a great idea to take a note of your water meter reading, and keep track of your water usage.

CURRENT WATERING RESTRICTIONS

6.00am to 9.00am & 6.00pm to 9.00pm
Even number houses water on even days of the month
Odd number houses water on odd days of the month
All houses can water on the 31st of the month.
No restrictions apply to hand held hoses.

Remember...

Restriction Levels are subject to change. Check with the Council if in doubt by calling (07) 4747 3200

If you breach these restrictions you could face a $200.00 Penalty Infringement Notice

TIPS TO CONSERVE WATER

IN THE HOME...

• Install a dual-flush toilet. You can save up to 8 lt of water every time you flush.
• Divert grey water from your washing machine for immediate use in the garden (except on vegetables).
• Take short showers and install water saver heads - an 8 minute shower uses 120 lt of water.
• Place a few drops of food colour in the toilet cistern & wait for 15 minutes. If colour appears in the bowl you have a leak. This can waste up to 16,000 lt per year.
• Don’t run a half empty dishwasher, it still takes at least 50 lt to use whether it is full or not.
• Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth or shaving, and save between 5 - 15 lt of water each time.
• Match the load setting on the washing machine to the size of the load.
• On average, top loading washers use up to 60% more water, 50% more detergent and 40% more electricity than front loading machines. 
• Choose household appliances that have a high water efficiency rating - 3 stars or better.
• Use tap aerator devices, they are inexpensive and can reduce water flow by 50%.

IN THE GARDEN

• Improve your soil - mix in plenty of organic matter to both feed your plants and help the soil hold moisture.
• Install sub-surface irrigation if possible as it waters the roots, is low maintenance and reduces evaporation.
• Choose the correct plants (see over). Look around town to see what is suited to our local climate.
• Go mad with mulch. It should be at least 10cm thick and will decrease water loss and reduce weed growth.
• Deal with weeds. They use up precious water and steal nutrients from the soil.
• Use a timer on the tap. This will ensure taps are not left     running accidentally.
• Only water when the plants need moisture and stick to watering times early in the morning or later in the evening.
• Lawns use 9 times more water than a garden so minimise lawn and mix with gardens or rocks.
• Don’t over water, as waterlogged soil encourages the growth of bacteria and fungi, which cause disease in plants.
• Prune shrubs after spring, this reduces the leaf area and reduces the shrub’s water loss.
• Use potting mix with high organic matter content and wetting agents in your pots. This will help retain moisture.
• Compost suitable food scraps - compost enriches the soil by helping it absorb and hold water.

FOR THE POOL

• A properly fitted pool blanket/spa cover can stop up to 97% of evaporation. This also reduces the amount of chemicals required to treat the water, and may reduce the amount of electricity required for heating.
• Check for leaks - a tiny leak could result in a large amount of water loss. (Mark the level at the skimmer box and check 24 hrs later, water loss should be no more than 3 cm daily.)
• Provide shade over your pool. This will also reduce evaporation and protect swimmers from the sun’s rays.

SUGGESTIONS OF SUITABLE PLANTS FOR MOUNT ISA

HOW TO BE LEAD SAFE, AND WATER WISE

• Creating a barrier between soil and people is the most effective way to make an area ’lead safe’.
• Cover bare soil areas with mulch, wood chips, gravel, pavers, rocks or hardy ground covers - this reduces dust and using local varieties of ground cover greatly reduces water usage.
• Plant prickly or thorny plants in your garden beds, children and pets will be less likely to enter these areas.
• Toughen up your lawns by watering less often, and either earlier or later in the cooler parts of the day - save up to 50% in evaporation. (Refer to watering restrictions for watering times).
• Don’t cut lawn lower than 3 - 4 cm high. This will shade the grass and protect the roots from drying out.
• Wash your car, and your dog on the lawn. The detergents will help the runoff soak into the ground better.
• Keep hosing of paths and driveways to a minimum.
• Check for leaking tap washers - one drop per second = 32 litres a day.
• Wash hands regularly, and always before eating, don’t leave the water running (this can use 15lt per minute!)
• Keep the house as free from dust as possible - wipe down benches, window ledges and vacuum and wash floors regularly. (Sweeping creates dust and sends particles into the air).
• Remove work boots and yard shoes at the door to reduce dust and dirt entering the house, and use durable door mats at all entries to the house.
• Thoroughly wash any home grown fruit or vegetables before use.

HELP STOP WATER WASTAGE

If you see a person wasting water, or watering out of hours, report it to Council by calling 07 4747 3200.

This information can also be downloaded in a fact sheet here.