yes alison, our water consumption actually rose after complying with the previous night time watering regime.. husband had to do it then, and he, not being plant-savvy used more water for less result, made worse by not being able to see...re leeway, it seems there's no discretion-discernment in regulation land; we use approx 1/3 of the average domestic consumption (we still think like we're not on mains water after living 16 years in a rural area), yet there's no consideration-benefit for this. Also manufacturers unwittingly prevent economical water use, as per my old twin tub washing machine which are no longer produced and we will be forced to go 'automatic', which I dont want and doesnt suit my usage.

Here on the Central Coast it is just as bad. As for harsher water use regulations, local water authorities are damned if they do and damned if they don't. This drought has broken all records and it does not look as if there will be any relief. The nursery industry is on its knees. Although apparently the ones specialising in dry climate plants are doing very well.

We all need to rethink radically the way we use water in this dry continent of ours. As much as I can appreciate folks love of the backyard swimming pool, it is a luxury and should be regulated as such. There are ways for pools to be covered etc. to minimise evaporation.

Any water used for non essential use should have a much higher cost. Living in such a dry continent the profligate way we are using up what fresh water we have is nonsensical. Everyone on town water with reasonable space in their backyards should have to install rainwater tanks to lessen the demand. It is just silly that we do not recycle more of our water. Increasingly I am seeing more folk in the inner suburbs of Sydney with rainwater tanks being used to supplement their laundry and toilet use.

Maybe there should be a set fee that homes all pay for a base amount of water and anything above that is much more expensive than what we pay now. So the more water that is used the more expensive the water cost gets.

I know some households have more occupants than others. Surely this can still be taken into account.

Its a big country, isnt it ? Up here in Rocky, we have absoluutely no water restrictions. I could stand in my garden for 18 hours a day with a hose in my hand, idly washing down everything from the plants to the house. You will see people splashing water around in the middle of the day, although they arent as carefree as they were prior to the introduction of water meters. The Fitzroy has a massive catchment area and a relatively small population to service - Rocky has had the distinction of the river breaking its banks on a clear day.

Make no mistake - I am extremely thankful to have so much water on tap - but its painful to see millions of litres disappearing over the spillway that separates the fresh water from the brine. Surely excess water could be piped into a reservoir for industry and agriculture ? One of the Fitzroy Water bods recently reassured us that it was highly unlikely that Rocky would ever face water restrictions. I'm sure they must have said something similar in Brissie in the early 90s ...

Not sure exactly where you are Florial, but you can still buy twin tubs in Qld....perhaps not the brand you know and trust though....?

Here is a link that might be useful: Twin Tub Washing Machine

thks Quenda for washing machine info-- we are in Brisbane so will follow it up...it's the same capacity as my present one; altho none of the modern ones have as many extra features as some of the oldy models,I manage ok so far. Re Rocky, I came from there and left before the river was worked upon for its severe floodings.. and there was just the railway and the main bridge. I lived behind Moores creek and Kalka Shades was my favourite horseriding place and Nerimbera was a farm area, not so now I'm told.

Hi Alison. I know this topic has been debated before, but why not try fitting shallow plastic trays, or even plastic bags (pants?) to the lower parts of your pots, so they do not drain quite so well. I am hopeless when it comes to watering pots, and this method has worked with most plants in the past. Some will simply not tolerate the damp conditions, but I think it would at least reduce the amount of watering you need to do.

"Using buckets and watering cans will take forever "

hi alison, I suspect this is why they do it because if they make it hard for people to water the garden, a lot of people wont bother. over here you can run sprinklers in summer for 15 mins twice a week on your specified days (it sounds like alot but on our sandy soil this means a very dry garden because the water doesnt stay around long), but you can use the hose anytime to water, which just doesnt make sense but I think they figure if people have to get out the hose and stand around less people will do it. the thing that Ive noticed though is most people have become more water conscious but people who dont care will just get the hose out and water happily away everyday.

the problem with pools is that if the water level drops in a fibreglass pool the pool can crack from the pressure, but pool blankets will stop almost all evaporation and they should be making these compulsory now I think.

honestly, if you can get away with using the hose without anyone noticing then I would do it, theyd pretty much have to catch you in the act I think to give you a fine. I have a neighbour who runs their sprinklers every night for 5 minutes, I could dob them in and they would get a fine for doing it but 5 minutes a day in my opinion is not water wastage so good luck to them. :)

TG

Tut,tut, Alison, you should have been growing natives, shouldn't you? Level 3 restrictions were timed to coincide with the cold,dry winter, when natives go into hibernation. My garden's doing fine with minimal extra work which I'm happy to put in.
A subtle government ploy to get people to grow local.
When 2/3 of your plants have died you WILL replace them with natives of local provenance, won't you?
Your friendly conscience.

My garden is doing fine too and has been for a long time with minimal water mind you I do baby my Roses to a certain extent and my Grebera.

Having said that I don't water my Hibiscus, Oleander, Ferns Palms, Broms,lilies, aggies, and the list goes on. Opps I forgot my favourite plant the bougainvillea. Its amazing what we can grow here with minimal water that are not natives. Variety is the spice of life and yes I do grow a lot of natives as everyone here knows.. MM.