Water Restrictions In Australia Article Index for
Water
Website Links For
Water
 

Information About

Water Restrictions In Australia




Water restrictions are currently in place in all major cities of '''Australia''' in response to the severe , on the other hand, intends to build a Desalinisation plant, which will cost $1.3 billion NSW goes against flow on water law , Sydney Morning Herald.

After stage 5 restrictions were in place in Goulburn for some time, the town won a National Water Conservation Award for Excellence due to the water that had been conserved. Goulburn wins water-saving award , ABC News 29/11/2006

As of July 2007 some places have no water restrictions, including Darwin and the rest of the Northern Territory , Regional Tasmania , Newcastle , Bathurst and Dubbo . There are also a few parts of Australia where the water storage levels are at or close to 100%, such as Taree .

Widespread rainfall across parts of Eastern Australia in June and July have eased the water shortages in some areas. Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and some regional areas have seen increases in dam storages. Improved soil moisture has caused more run off than last year. Brisbane and South East Queensland however remain vulnerable with supplies not improving.




STAGES


There are differences between the types of water restrictions for each stage in different locations. This table gives a very brief summary of some of them.


HISTORY OF STAGES OF WATER RESTRICTIONS



ACT

  • Canberra - stage 2 from 1 November 2006, stage 3 from 16th December 2006



New South Wales




Northern Territory



Queensland



South Australia

Map showing current areas of water restrictions after 1 January 2007.



Tasmania

  • Hobart - stage 1 from 18 December 2006



Victoria

Report and map explaining the restrictions in Victoria as of September 2006



Western Australia



WATER STORAGE LEVELS

Source: Water Services Association of Australia
(listed as percent)


CRITICISM


Water restrictions has been criticised by experts for hampering the economy and the lifestyles of people. {Link without Title}

The National Water Commission chief has argued that Australia needs a source of water that is independent of the rainfall. Desalination is touted as the solution for potentially unlimited water use. {Link without Title}

The Environment Minister, Malcolm Turnbull says that it does not make sense to have permanent water restrictions just as there are no electricity restrictions. {Link without Title}


SEE ALSO



REFERENCES