close up photo of water coming out of a spray hose

Water limits in force

THE Derwent Valley is now on Stage One water restrictions for the rest of summer.

The restrictions are designed to reduce non-essential water use by 20 per cent.

In an ironic twist, heavy rains over the past months have caused the problem.

TasWater Asset Management Services General Manager Matt Derbyshire said the impact of months of heavy rain on water quality, along with essential maintenance, had resulted in the need to enter into Stage One water restrictions.

“Their aim is to protect drinking water supplies which have become more difficult to treat following recent heavy rainfall causing sediment and debris to run into our rivers,” Mr Derbyshire said.
“Stage One water restrictions require only small changes to how people use water, but even small changes can have a significant impact on the amount of water available in the system.
“We are expecting continued wet weather over the coming months, which will continue to impact on the water treatment process.
“Implementing these restrictions will help us ensure water is available when residents, visitors and businesses turn on their taps.”

The restrictions apply to the Greater Hobart Area, which includes all suburbs within the municipal areas of of Hobart, Glenorchy, Brighton, Kingston, Sorell, Kempton, Colebrook and New Norfolk.

The restrictions mean garden and lawn watering is allowed on any day during the following times:
• Manual watering systems can only be used between the hours of 6am and 8am, and between the hours of 8pm and 10pm.
• Automatic watering systems can only be used between the hours of midnight and 4am.
• Handheld hoses with a trigger nozzle, buckets or watering cans may be used at any time.

Watering of sports grounds is allowed on any day during the following times:
• Manual watering systems can only be used between the hours of 6am and 8am and between the hours of 8pm and 10pm.
• Automatic watering systems can only be used between the hours of midnight and 4am.
• Handheld hoses with a trigger nozzle, buckets or watering cans may be used at any time.