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Level One water restrictions have been introduced in Douglas Shire as water levels continue to fall at intakes across the region.
There’s been no significant rain in the region for some time and forecast heatwave conditions this week could further deplete water levels.
The Rex Creek Intake, which supplies water to Mossman, Port Douglas, Craiglie, Newell Beach, and Cooya Beach, has dipped below 320 millimetres.
About 5700 properties and 13,000 people get their water from this system, and it’s not uncommon for water restrictions to be imposed towards the end of the dry season.
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Level One restrictions limit use of sprinklers and irrigation systems to water the garden to overnight hours and no more than three times a week.
Douglas Shire mayor, Michael Kerr, said people should be water-wise at home to help steady creek levels until rainfall arrives.
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“If we all water our gardens early in the morning or later in the evening on our designated day, we can reduce the pressure on our water supply while its dry.
“We are in a La Nina weather pattern, which means we are expecting lots of rain before Christmas.
“But until then, we need to always be mindful of conserving our precious water.”
Douglas Shire Council draws water from Rex Creek under a licence that limits the maximum daily take based on creek flow.
When the flow declines, so does the amount of water available to Council.
The licence conditions ensure that there are adequate environmental flows in Rex Creek throughout the year.
Level One water restrictions:
- sprinklers and irrigation systems allowed on alternate days between 6pm and 8am for a maximum of four hours
- even numbered houses or no prescribed street number can water on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday
- odd numbered houses can water on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday
Main points
- Level one water restrictions in Douglas Shire
- Water levels down in Rex Creek intake
- Sprinklers and systems allowed every second night with four hour maximum
