LEVEL 4 RESTRICTIONS START THIS SUNDAY

Level 4 water restrictions begin this Sunday, 1 October 2006.

This means no outdoor water use using the town supply. Vehicle windows can be cleaned with a cloth and bucket.

Gosford Mayor, Laurie Maher said: ‘We acknowledge that people have already done a great deal to save water but with dam levels currently just below 16% we need to do even more to reduce the amount of water we all use.

”A key part of Level 4 restrictions is to get the average amount of water we each use a day down to 150 litres per person. Currently, this figure is around 180 litres a day but this varies widely. Some people use more, some less,” he said.

“The two Councils can offer a range of information on how you can save more water in your homes as well as maintain gardens, pools and boats during the tighter water restrictions.”

“The recent heavy downpour was very welcome, but there is no sign of any significant follow-up rain to help ease our situation.

“Our water supply situation is very serious, particularly as we move into the warmer months which is why we must  tighten our belts even further.”

Level 1 water restrictions were first introduced in February 2002. Since then the Central Coast community has helped reduce overall demand on the town supply by about 30% .

“This is an excellent achievement and everyone should be congratulated for their efforts,” said Wyong Mayor Bob Graham.

“But now we need to go that extra step. We are in the grip of the worst drought on record. Indeed 90% of NSW is also in drought so therefore we need to respond accordingly.

“Take shorter showers, use greywater on your garden, install a rainwater tank or put a brick in your single flush toilet cistern. These are all ways we can help reduce the amount of town water we use because every drop counts.”

“Level 4 restrictions are only one way we can slow the rate at which our dam levels fall while we have no rain. The Councils have a large number of other programs in place to ensure our dams don’t fall below 10%.”

“We’re also working with businesses to save water, using recycled water and stormwater to irrigate ovals, providing subsidies and rebates for people who buy water saving devices and giving free rainwater tanks to schools and childcare centres.

Laurie Maher added: “A whole host of major capital works are also underway to source additional drinking water which include upgrading of pump and pipe works to make our water supply system more diverse, robust and efficient for the future.”

Media contacts:            Lisa McDermott on 4350 5705 (Wyong) or

                                    Janet Saunders on 0438 191 328 (Gosford)