: News Article

Water consumption up

23/10/2002

Residents in the twin cities have been thirstier this week than any time in the last twelve months.

Average consumption in the last two weeks has risen to 159,000 kilolitres a day. That peaked on Monday at 200,000 kilolitres and compares to an average daily consumption across the year of around 142,000 kilolitres.

Ross River and Paluma Dams are each holding around 65 per cent capacity. That accounts for about two years supply with average rainfall.

Although Townsville and Thuringowa were drought-proofed, there was a financial impact to consider, said NQ Water Chief Executive Officer Ken Diehm

"The Board took the far sighted decision in the late 80s to build the Haughton pipeline which connects to the vast reserves of the Burdekin Dam," said Mr Diehm.

"That drought-proofed the region."

"However, history has proven that Burdekin Dam water comes at a high dollar cost. We accessed that water in 1994 for eight months at a cost of $4 dollars. A year’s pumping now could cost ratepayers more than $10 million.

"Ratepayers would have to shoulder the cost of accessing that allocation."

The vast bulk of water is used on lawns and gardens and Mr Diehm stressed responsible use during dry times.

"We encourage the residents Townsville and Thuringowa to look at their water consumption," he said. "We all want to live in a green city but there’s an element of responsibility in that."

"Residents should consider installing irrigation systems and mulch their gardens to help conservation."

© 2003 NQ Water