Residents asked to reduce water consumption

Date: Thursday, 15th October 2009

Townsville Water has asked residents to avoid watering their lawns and gardens for
the next two days as electrical works are carried out at the Douglas Water Treatment Plant.

The essential electrical work is associated with upgrades which will improve production capacity and overall water quality at the facility.

In order to reduce pressure on the plant while the work is carried out, residents and businesses are being asked to reduce their water consumption today and tomorrow (October 15-16).

Townsville Water Executive Manager, Pedro Mendiolea, said plans were in place to maintain water supplies throughout the city.

“Part of this planning involves asking residents to reduce non-essential water use,” Mr Mendiolea.

“At the moment the city is using around 180 megalitres a day, and consumption figures have been steadily rising as the weather warms up.

“Our lawns and gardens are by far the biggest consumers of water in this city, so it would certainly help if residents could avoid using their sprinklers for a couple of days.

“Given the Douglas Water Treatment Plant produces the majority of the water consumed in Townsville, it’s important we keep the facility running at an optimum level.”

The council’s Parks Services has already assisted in reducing its consumption by 70 per cent.