Gippslanders urged to consider non-essential water use

Gippsland Water is urging customers to consider their non-essential water use amid dry conditions and surging demand.

Managing Director Sarah Cumming said that while major storage facilities remained stable, overwhelming demand during peak periods had put strain on the water supply network.

“Over the last few weeks, we’ve seen very high demand across the network - particularly on hot days and in the mornings and evenings,” Ms Cumming said.

“This has put our water treatment and delivery infrastructure under some stress, at times compromising reliability of supply for some townships.”

While acknowledging the recent hot spell, Ms Cumming said there are things that all customers could do to help reduce pressure on the system.

“We understand the landscape is very dry – gardens and lawns may be struggling and the paddocks are brown,” Ms Cumming said.

“We’re not asking our customers to make drastic changes to their water use, more so to consider whether they can delay or avoid non-essential water use.

“By simply shifting or reducing discretionary water consumption, we can all contribute to keeping our systems stable,” Ms Cumming concluded.

Tips for reducing your water consumption on hot days include:

• If you have an automatic timer, set your garden watering to the early hours of the morning between midnight and 4am
• Consider whether washing the car can wait a day or two
• Avoid discretionary water use during the hours of six to nine in the mornings and evenings, if possible (when the network is under the greatest pressure)
• Avoid washing concrete surfaces such as driveways

ENDS