4/9/01
Perth metropolitan residents and all towns and properties that receive water from the Goldfields pipeline will face water restrictions this summer.
State Cabinet yesterday agreed to limit the use of sprinklers and private bores.
Sprinklers will be restricted to just two days a week, effective from Saturday September 8.
Regulations will also be drafted to limit the use of garden bore sprinklers to between 6pm and 9am, the same as applied to scheme water users since 1994.
A major public awareness campaign will be launched tomorrow and brochures will be distributed to all affected households next week. The campaign will explain how the sprinkler restrictions will be based on the last digit of a customer's house number to evenly spread demand for water throughout the week.
The Minister for Government Enterprises Nick Griffiths said the State Government had made a difficult but unavoidable decision. This was the first time that severe water restrictions had been imposed since 1979.
"The water levels in our dams are at a record low," Mr Griffiths said.
"From this Saturday restrictions will be in place that will help safeguard our future resources and help us get through the summer period."
Mr Griffiths said the Government had taken advice from the Water Corporation not to impose a complete sprinkler ban until further rainfall figures were known for September and October.
"We are concerned about the impact restrictions will have on the community, particularly small business," he said.
He would be meeting with representatives of small business organisations, such as turf growers and nursery owners to discuss the impact restrictions might have on their business.
Environment and Heritage Minister Dr Judy Edwards said that it was important the whole community got behind the system that would be put in place to protect the water supply.
Dr Edwards said that the Waters and Rivers Commission would be moving to implement daytime sprinkler restrictions for unlicensed garden bores. The Commission would develop the appropriate regulations to ban private bore sprinklers between 9am and 6pm.
"Whether it is scheme water or bore water it should still be used wisely, not during the heat of the day when it is lost to evaporation," Dr Edwards said.
"We all need to work together to manage our way through this difficult period caused by the extreme rainfall shortage.
"It's necessary for all people to think about their water consumption and using water wisely. Advice on restrictions can be obtained from the Waterwise Helpline on 13 10 39."
The Perth integrated system also supplies Mandurah and Pinjarra, which are included in the restrictions.
Media contacts:
Minister Griffiths Office: Melissa Robinson - 9222 8950
Minister Edwards Office: John Carey - 9222 5050
