General News
21 November, 2024
Water supply secure despite little rain
DESPITE only 20mm of rainfall in the past seven months, there has been no spike in water usage in Mareeba, according to Mareeba Shire Council.
The current average daily consumption was around 10 megalitres per day, similar to previous years. This was higher than the state average per capita, but council attributed this to various factors, including allotment size and commercial water usage.
“Water security is an issue that Mareeba Shire Council takes very seriously, which is why we are delivering the 10-year Mareeba Water Strategy,” Mayor Angela Toppin said.
“Through this plan, we have been upgrading critical, ageing water infrastructure such as pipes and water mains. We also recently completed works at the Mareeba Water Treatment Plant including the raw water pump station and the filtration system, with funding support from the Australian and Queensland governments.”
Mareeba’s water is sourced from the Barron River, fed by Tinaroo Dam. The dam was currently at 91% and consumption was within the capacity of Council’s treatment and reticulation systems, so water restrictions were not required at this time.
“Council may consider water restrictions if there was a severe long-term drought, operational issues affecting supply, or if the water levels of Tinaroo Dam dropped significantly,” Mayor Toppin said.
“While we do not currently have water restrictions, being water-wise is important for the environment, and it also saves residents’ money.”
Top tips for saving water:
• A leaking toilet can waste more than 60,000 litres of water each year. Check for leaks by adding a little food colouring in the tank. If the colouring appears in the bowl without flushing, repair the cistern rubber immediately.
• Avoid watering in the middle of the day to prevent evaporation and mulch generously as it can reduce water loss by up to 70%.
• Install a water-efficient showerhead.
