Melbourne Warns Residents - Prepare For Unprecedented Water Restrictions

[hatrack]

MELBOURNE households have been warned they could face unprecedented stage four water restrictions next year, as authorities consider new emergency measures to counter the effects of the state's record-breaking drought.

Stage four restrictions, which would include a total ban on watering gardens and lawns, would come into effect automatically when storages dropped to 29.3 per cent of capacity. A Melbourne University water expert yesterday predicted that the city could be under stage four restrictions as early as March next year.

Melbourne Water managing director Rob Skinner rejected the prediction, but confirmed that board members of the authority were briefed this month on forecasts for the city's storages, including a worst-case scenario drop in reservoir levels to 16.9 per cent — known as "extreme minimum operating levels".

Mr Skinner told The Age that under that scenario, Melbourne would have to resort to using so-called "dead water" — water below the minimum plug level, which can still be pumped out. But he stressed that this extreme scenario was highly unlikely. Next month the Melbourne Water board will be briefed on possible contingency plans in case dry conditions continue over the next 12 months.

EDIT

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/drought-fears-prompt-warning-on-water-cuts/2006/11/21/1163871404877.html

[phantom power]

1. "yes, yes... highly unlikely of course... goes without saying..."

Ummm, why? Seems very likely to me. They must think that calming platitudes will scrub CO2 from earth's atmosphere.

[Javaman]

2. Good way to reduce water usage, get rid of lawns and golf courses...nt