Metropolitan scheme water users no longer face restrictions following substantial rainfall

19/10/99
Metropolitan scheme water users no longer face water restrictions following substantial rainfall over the past two weeks.
Water Resources Minister Dr Kim Hames told Parliament today that residents in Perth, Mandurah and the Goldfields could look forward to a summer with no more than the permanent day time sprinkler ban, provided they kept a close eye on consumption.
"The rain came in the nick of time and we will now go into this summer with a little more water in the dams than last year," Dr Hames said.
"This does not mean a free-for-all. It does mean keeping a close eye on consumption as heavy use will pull dam levels down very quickly and if that happens we may have to reconsider the situation.
"We are in the same position as last year and we have to look towards providing for next summer as well.
"We will be monitoring the day-time sprinkler ban to ensure people are not watering during the day between 9am and 6pm."
Dr Hames said he would shortly launch the Water Corporation's summer water savings campaign.
"This year we will again be offering helpful advice on the different ways people can conserve water and we will keep the public informed on consumption rates so they can see how they are doing," he said.
"Last year's campaign was an outstanding success. We asked the public to cut consumption by 10 per cent and support was so strong that the end result was a 13 per cent saving.
"I will be asking for that support again this summer."

Dr Hames said consumption was up by four per cent on last year, about half of which was due to population growth.
"We now live in a city of more than 1.3 million people in one of the driest parts of the world and this means there needs to be a permanent shift in how we regard water. It is a precious resource and it takes very little effort to reduce the amount we use on our gardens and in our homes."
Media contact: Caroline Lacy 9424 7450.
Water Corporation: Phil Kneebone 9420 2420.