New water rules today

TASWATER has extended water restrictions to include most of the state.

The utility last night extended restrictions to place more than a dozen more communities on stage one, place six more onto stage two and one onto stage three.

The only areas in the state to remain exempt from water restrictions are Circular Head, King Island, West Coast and the Huon Valley.

TASWATER has extended water restrictions to include most of the state.

The utility last night extended restrictions to place more than a dozen more communities on stage one, place six others onto stage two and one onto stage three.

The only areas in the state to remain exempt from water restrictions are Circular Head, King Island, the West Coast and the Huon Valley.

From today, water restrictions are in place for all serviced communities from greater Hobart to Wynyard. Those communities already on water restrictions will remain unchanged, except for Bridport, which will increase to stage 2.

The restrictions are expected to remain until March 31.

TasWater spokeswoman Ruth Dowty said this is the first time such widespread measures have been necessary for Tasmania.

“We are asking community members to work together to help ensure there is enough for everyone,” Ms Dowty said.

“It is important to remember that even though areas west of greater Burnie and south of Huonville are not affected at this point, we are encouraging everyone to be mindful of their water use.”

She said the restrictions are to help safeguard the ongoing availability of safe and reliable drinking water for everyone.

Last year was the second driest on record for Hobart, with only 385mm of rainfall, compared with an average of 612mm.

The 2019 total for Lake Leake, near Cranbrook on the state’s East Coast, was 555mm compared with the average of 830mm. Nearby Friendly Beaches was 414mm compared with

662mm.

TasWater’s latest restrictions recognise the dry conditions and low rainfall over the past 36 months, along with advice from the Bureau of Meteorology that conditions are likely to continue through the cooler months.

“By implementing restrictions now, we can build up our storage and prepare greater safeguards against the possibility of dry conditions into next summer,” Ms Dowty said.

“We may experience some rainfall in the meantime, but the BOM advice is that it will take several months of above-average rain to make up the deficits in our waterways and reservoirs.

“We are asking community members to work together to help ensure there is enough for everyone.”

Stage 1 water restrictions will be introduced for a number of communities including Deloraine, Campbell Town, Bothwell, Colebrook, Bicheno, Scottsdale, St Helens, Flinders Island, Burnie, Somerset, Wynyard, as well as Launceston and its surrounding areas stretching from Hadspen and Longford out to Beauty Point and Low Head.

Stage 2 water restrictions will now be implemented for Bridport, Orford, Triabunna, Swansea, Oatlands, Ulverstone and Gawler.

Hobart will remain on stage 1, Coles Bay will remain on stage 2, and Scamander will remain on stage 3 water restrictions.

For more information about water restrictions and a full list of areas affected, visit www.taswater.com.au/waterrestrictions.