Water use up after restrictions change

WATER consumption has increased in Townsville after restrictions were eased.

Townsville City Council recorded use around 110 megalitres a day on Saturday and Sunday, slightly up on an average of about 100 megalitres previously.

Townsville Water and Waste general manager Scott Moorhead said the result was “solid” but did not give a target of what the council was looking to achieve after Level 3 restrictions were rolled back to Level 2.

“That’s a solid result but it may take into account the significant rainfall we had about a fortnight ago which is still keeping gardens and lawns green,” Mr Moorhead said.

“The council will continue to monitor water use in the community but there will be no changes to our inspection regime.

“We hope the community will continue to remain water wise while the level 2 water restrictions remain in place.”

Level 2 means people can use sprinklers between 6- 8pm twice a week on an odds and evens property number system. Even- numbered houses can use sprinklers on Tuesdays and Saturdays and odds on Wednesdays and Sundays.

Handheld watering is allowed any time on any day, including for washing of cars and boats.

Meanwhile, the council will host an industry forum on the $ 215 million Haughton water pipeline project at the Reid Park meeting rooms today.

Mayor Jenny Hill said the forum was aimed at encouraging local firms to be part of the pipeline project.

“This project will create a huge amount of jobs in our city and we want as many local firms to be a part of it as possible,” Cr Hill said.

“There’s plenty of work available on the pipeline and we want to create as many jobs as possible so that’s why we want businesses to come to the forum ( today) to find out how they can be a part of the project.”

The forum will be held from 9- 10.30am.