Permanent Water Conservation Measures

Permanent water conservation measures are in place

Residents can only water outdoors before 10am and after 4pm on their allocated watering days.
Even numbered properties on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Odd or unnumbered properties on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
No watering on Mondays.
Watering is permitted outside the hours of 10am and 4pm daily with a watering can or bucket.

SCHEDULE 1 - PERMANENT CONSERVATION MEASURES

Private gardens and lawns (residential and non-residential) including sports grounds and active playing surfaces	No watering between 10am and 4pm. Watering permitted outside the hours of 10am and 4pm on alternate days with a: Sprinkler Hand-held trigger or twist nozzle Irrigation system Watering permitted outside the hours of 10am and 4pm daily with a watering can or bucket.
Commercial market garden and plant nursery	No watering between 10am and 4pm. Watering only permitted outside of these hours with a: Sprinkler Hand-held trigger or twist nozzle Watering can or bucket
Swimming pools and spas	New and existing swimming pools, spas and portable wading pools must only be filled or topped up to their minimum operating level.
Vehicles and boats	Water may be used to clean vehicles and boats by means of: A hand-held trigger or twist nozzle to initially wet or rinse after washing High-pressure low-volume water blaster Watering can or bucket Commercial car wash facility Vehicles and boats must be washed on grassed areas where possible. Outboard motors may be flushed clean after use.
Paved areas, driveways, house and window cleaning	Water must not be used to clean paved areas, driveways, houses and windows, except by means of a: Hand-held trigger of twist nozzle High-pressure low-volume water blaster Watering can or bucket.
Dams and tanks	Dams and water storage tanks greater than 100,000 litres must not be filled or topped up except by way of exemption from council. Water storage tanks providing water for firefighting, public health or stock water purposes may be used to the extent necessary to reasonable provide such purposes. Tank filling in designated ‘tank replenishment scheme’ areas are excluded; however, use must comply with all other water restrictions.
All other areas	Water shall not be used except by way of exemption from council.

Water restriction levels

(To be implemented when needed)

LEVEL 1 - LOW

PURPOSE	LEVEL 1 - LOW
Private gardens and lawns (residential and non-residential) including sports grounds and active playing surfaces	No watering between 10am and 4pm. Watering permitted outside the hours of 10am and 4pm on alternate days with a: Hand-held trigger or twist nozzle Irrigation system (gardens only, no grassed areas) Non-active playing surfaces must not be watered.
Commercial market garden and plant nursery	No watering between 10am and 4pm. Watering only permitted outside of these hours with a: Hand-held trigger or twist nozzle Irrigation system Watering can or bucket
Swimming pools and spas (private and public)	New and existing swimming pools, spas and portable wading pools must only be filled or topped up to their minimum operating level.
Vehicles and boats	Water may be used to clean vehicles and boats by means of: A hand-held trigger or twist nozzle to initially wet or rinse after washing. Watering can or bucket Commercial car wash facility that recycles at least 50% of the water used. Vehicles and boats must be washed on grassed areas where possible. Outboard motors may be flushed clean after use.
Paved areas, driveways, house and window cleaning	Water must not be used to clean paved areas, driveways, houses and windows, except by means of a watering can or bucket.
Dams and tanks	Dams and water storage tanks greater than 100,000 litres must not be filled or topped up except by way of exemption from council. Water storage tanks providing water for firefighting, public health or stock water purposes may be used to the extent necessary to reasonable provide such purposes. Tank filling in designated ‘tank replenishment scheme’ areas are excluded; however, use must comply with all other water restrictions. Dams and water storage tanks must not be filled or topped up except by way of exemption from council. Water storage tanks providing water for firefighting, public health or stock water purposes may be used to the extent necessary to reasonably provide such purposes. Tank filling in designated ‘tank replenishment scheme’ areas are excluded; however, use must comply with all other water restrictions. Dams and water storage tanks must not be filled or topped up except by way of exemption from council. Water storage tanks providing water for firefighting, public health or stock water purposes may be used to the extent necessary to reasonably provide such purposes. Tank filling in designated ‘tank replenishment scheme’ areas are excluded; however, use must comply with all other water restrictions.
All other areas	Water shall not be used except by way of exemption from council.

LEVEL 2 - MEDIUM

PURPOSE	LEVEL 2 - MEDIUM
Private gardens and lawns (residential and non-residential) including sports grounds and active playing surfaces	No watering between 10am and 4pm. Sprinklers and irrigation systems not permitted. Watering only permitted outside of these hours on alternate days with a watering can. Non-active playing surfaces must not be watered.
Commercial market garden and plant nursery	No watering between 10am and 4pm. Sprinklers not permitted Watering only permitted outside of these hours with a: Water efficient irrigation system ie mircospray or drip system Watering can or bucket.
Swimming pools and spas (private and public)	Existing swimming pools and spas must only be topped up to their minimum operating level. New and existing swimming pools and spas must not be filled except by way of exemption from council. Portable wading pools must not be filled or topped up.
Vehicles and boats	Water may be used to clean vehicles and boats by means of: A hand-held trigger or twist nozzle to initially wet or rinse after washing. Watering can or bucket Commercial car wash facility that recycles at least 50% of the water used. Vehicles and boats must be washed on grassed areas where possible. Outboard motors may be flushed clean after use.
Paved areas, driveways, house and window cleaning	Water must not be used to clean paved areas, driveways, houses and windows unless cleaning is required as a result of an accident, fire, health or safety reason, construction, building or like activity, storm or other emergency.
All other areas	Water shall not be used except by way of exemption from council.

LEVEL 3 - HIGH

PURPOSE	LEVEL 3 - HIGH
Private gardens and lawns (residential and non-residential) including sports grounds and active playing surfaces	No watering permitted.
Commercial market garden and plant nursery	No watering between 10am and 4pm. Sprinklers and irrigation systems not permitted. Watering only permitted outside of these hours with a watering can or bucket.
Swimming pools and spas (private and public)	New and existing swimming pools and spas must not be filled or topped up except by way of exemption from council. Portable wading pools must not be filled or topped up.
Vehicles and boats	Water must not be used to clean vehicles or boast except where required for public health and safety reasons or where permanent damage may occur if not rinsed with fresh water (eg flushing outboard motors).
Paved areas, driveways, house and window cleaning	Water must not be used to clean paved areas, driveways, houses and windows.
All other areas	Water shall not be used except by way of exemption from council.

Note: The Water Restrictions Policy applies to all consumers and transporters of council's potable water in our region and in areas to which our potable water is supplied.

The following water sources are exempt from council's Water Restriction Policy:

Water drawn from a source other than from the water supply system under the control of Mackay Regional Council
Reclaimed or used water
Private bores
Rainwater collected in tanks (unless the tank is topped up by the Mackay Regional Council water supply)
Water supplied from another service provider

Water restriction policy

For full Water Restriction details, including car washing, external house cleaning and pool topping-up or filling, download the Water Restrictions Policy.

Water restriction exemptions

In special circumstances, you may apply for an exemption or amendment to the current Water Restriction Policy. Where an exemption or amendment is sought, you must submit an Application for Exemption on Water Restrictions Form along with the applicable fee to council.

Quick guide to outdoor watering

Download a copy here...

Waterwise gardens and lawns

The Queensland Government has developed guidelines to help residents, businesses and grounds people create water efficient gardens and lawns. Click here to access these tips.

Permanent Water Conservation Measures