Tougher water restrictions for the region: Beaufort /Raglan to Stage 3 water restrictions from Thursday 1st February 2007. Lexton to Stage 3 water restrictions from Thursday 1st February 2007

The Board of Central Highlands Water met today and has decided to increase water restriction levels in the Beaufort/Raglan and Lexton water supply systems due to the continuing unprecedented dry conditions.

Inflows into regional reservoirs during the summer months have been the lowest recorded, putting additional pressure on already low reservoir storage levels with the Central Highlands region now entering its 11th consecutive year of drought conditions.

John Barnes Chairman of Central Highlands Water said "the Board has carefully considered all relevant information and community considerations in reaching their decision. The Central Highlands Water community has done an excellent job in conserving water however we are now being challenged to work harder to use even less water in our daily activities."

At this stage the remainder water supply systems will remain on current restriction levels.

Full water restriction details under By-law 403 will be advertised in local newspapers and can also be obtained by calling the freecall water restriction infoline on 1800 04 4636 or by visiting www.chw.net.au.

Stage 3 Water Restrictions (Beaufort/Raglan and Lexton water supply systems) from Thursday, 1 February 2007

Beaufort and Raglan's water storages are currently holding 49.7% of full storage capacity, holding 113ML. While Lexton's water storages are currently holding 29.9% of full storage capacity, holding 36ML.

Key Stage 3 water restrictions are as follows:

• Lawns must not be watered at any time

• Residential and Commercial Gardens can be watered by a hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle or by a bucket only between 6am-8am and 8pm-10pm on specified days (see point below)

• Residential and Commercial Gardens can be watered using a manual dripper watering system between 6am-8am and 8pm-10pm, or an automatic dripper system between 12 midnight to 4am on specified days (see point below)

• For Stage 3, 'specified days' refers to Sundays and Wednesdays for properties with an odd street number and on Saturdays and Tuesdays for properties with an even street number. On Monday, Thursday and Friday, no watering is permitted.

• New residential or commercial pools or spas must not be filled

• Existing pools or spas with a capacity of less than 2,000 litres may be filled by a watering can or bucket

• An existing pool or spa with a capacity of 2,000 litres or more must not be filled except in accordance with a Water Conservation Plan approved by Central Highlands Water

• Existing pools and spas must not be topped up except by means of a watering can or bucket

• Vehicles must not be washed except to use water to clean windows, mirrors and lights and for spot removal of corrosive substances from vehicles, whether private or motor vehicle dealer. The water must be used from a bucket and not used from a hose.

• Vehicles may be washed at a commercial car wash if less than 70 litres of water is used for every vehicle washed in accordance with a Water Conservation Plan approved by Central Highlands Water

• Fountains must not be filled or topped up and can only operate if it recirculates water

• Water must not be used to clean hard surfaces unless cleaning is required as a result of an accident, fire, health hazard, safety hazard or other emergency and a hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle is used

• Water restrictions also apply to Animal Husbandry, Boat Motors, Building Facades, Commercial Market Garden, Construction, Dams & Tanks, Dust Suppression, Food Transport Vehicle, Mobile Spas, Municipal Pool or Spa, Plant Nurseries, Ponds & Lakes, Poultry Farms, Public Gardens, Sports Grounds, Water Features, Water Tankers, Water Toys and Windows.

• In the Beaufort/Raglan and Lexton water supply system, Stage 3 water restrictions apply to the following areas: Beaufort/Raglan and Lexton.