WHEW: Wet weather forecast for Hervey Bay as Level 3 water restrictions kick in

HERVEY BAY residents are in for some relief following the introduction of Level 3 water restrictions this week.

Hervey Bay residents are in for a bit of relief this week, with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting several days of wet weather as Level 3 water restrictions kick in. PHOTO: Shaun Ryan.

The taps were tightened in Hervey Bay and surrounds – that’s the area stretching from Burrum Heads and Howard to River Heads – today due to insufficient rainfall in the Lenthall’s Dam catchment area.

But the Bureau of Meteorology is predicting a wet week for the area.

According to BOM’s official website this morning (Monday, 8 November 2021), there is an 80 or 90 per cent chance of rain most days this week, with skies expected to begin clearing again from Saturday.

Up to 20mm has been forecast for Hervey Bay tomorrow.

NOW READ: Duplicate water main to improve Hervey Bay water supply

With the Fraser Coast Regional Council saying around half of our water is used outdoors, several rainy days will hopefully take away some of the need to water gardens and lawns as Level 3 restrictions kick in.

Mayor George Seymour said Lenthall’s Dam was currently sitting below 50 per cent capacity.

“Council is introducing Level 3 water restrictions for the Hervey Bay water supply network for the first time since 2007 to try to reduce daily water use by at least 20 per cent and slow down the reduction of Lenthall’s Dam,” Cr Seymour said.

“About half our water use is outdoors, so that’s where the most opportunities are to save water and where restrictions are targeted.

“The Teddington Weir is in better shape, so we are maintaining Level 2 water restrictions for Maryborough for now.”

ALSO READ: Water and sewerage outages added to Fraser Coast Disaster Dashboard

Council has set a target of 160 litres per person per day for Hervey Bay and surrounds and 210 litres per person per day in Maryborough and surrounds.

Average daily water use figures will be updated weekly on Council’s water restrictions page.

Hervey Bay Level 3 water restrictions include:

Hand-held hoses are permitted between 5pm and 6pm to water established gardens at even numbered properties on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and odd numbered properties on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, but must have a water efficient nozzle;
Irrigation systems (sprinklers, drippers, soaker hoses) are banned and watering established lawns with town water is not permitted;
Washing windows and external walls, and cleaning paved or concrete surfaces, is only allowed with buckets. Commercial cleaning businesses can use high pressure cleaners;
Boat motor and trailer flushing is permitted at any time for a maximum of five minutes at a low water flow;
Filling existing swimming pools, spas and water features is permitted with buckets at any time and with hand-held hoses before 8am or after 5pm to maintain minimum operating levels;
Washing cars, boats and pets can only be done with a bucket. Children’s play pools, toys and water slides cannot be used.

Maryborough Level 2 water restrictions:

Hand held hoses are permitted between 6pm and 8am but must have a water efficient trigger nozzle;
Irrigation systems (sprinklers, drippers, soaker hoses) are permitted on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays between 6pm and 8am only;
Washing windows and cleaning paved or concrete surfaces, external walls or public facilities is permitted at any time but only with a water efficient, high-pressure device (eg gerni);
Boat motor and trailer flushing is permitted at any time for a maximum of five minutes at a low water flow;
Filling of swimming pools, spas and water features is only permitted between 6pm and 8am and must be monitored at all times;
Vehicle and boat cleaning is permitted at any time with handheld hoses (fitted with a water efficient trigger nozzle).

For more information on water restrictions on the Fraser Coast, click here.