Water Services

LEVEL 1 WATER RESTRICTIONS ARE NOW IN PLACE IN ST GEORGE

Council’s remaining water allocation in Beardmore Dam has now dropped below 2,500 Megalitres, which has triggered Level 1 Water Restrictions in St George.

The aim of these Level 1 Water Restrictions is to prolong our remaining allocation of river water for St George.

St George’s Town (bore) Water is for indoor household use and will not be impacted by these restrictions.

Below is an overview of Level 1 Water Restrictions for river water use.

Council currently has three different types of Water Meters in place in St George, which has occurred due to availability and sourcing requirements of the years.

Despite their differences, all types of Water Meters in place essentially have the same layout in terms of reading the water usage of each individual Meter.

St George River Water Supply Policy(PDF, 319KB)

The Balonne Shire Council owns and operates seven water supply networks in the towns of Bollon, Dirranbandi, Hebel, Mungindi, St George and Thallon.

Rainwater tanks are installed at most homes throughout the shire. However, they’re not always safe to drink from.

Bore water is our potable water supply, tested monthly to ensure compliance with drinking water standards.

Saving Water in the Garden

1. Planning and preparation
   Careful planning is the key to saving water in the garden.
   
   • Group plants of similar water needs in specific areas for more efficient watering
   • Set windbreaks to protect delicate species and to reduce water needs
2. Improve the soil
   Soil moisture content is vital to the health of any plant. You can improve the organic matter of your soil by adding manure, compost, peat, etc. A high level of organic matter in your soil will improve plant growth, use less water and fertilisers and promote healthier plants.
3. Grow the right plants
   When choosing plants, it’s important to not only consider size, shape, function and appearance, but also the amount of water which they will require. Choose water-efficient plant and you will be saving money on your water rates and helping to create a low maintenance garden.
4. Reduce grassed area
   Lawns require more water than other areas of your garden and therefore offer the best opportunity to help you conserve water and save money. Lawns should be designed to be practical and useful and not just as a fill-in area in your garden.
5. Water wisely
   The ideal watering system is one which will deliver water directly to the plant roots in the correct quantiles. Drippers, tap timers, trigger hoses and micro-irrigations systems should be used to deliver water in the most efficient manner.
6. Use more mulch
   A good mulch of at least 75mm thick, reduces evaporation from the soil surface by as much as 70%. Mulch discourages wee growth, prevents erosion and evens out soil temperature variations.
7. Garden maintenance
   The above six secrets will lead to a significant reduction in water use and the time and effort in your garden. However, a water-efficient garden requires regular maintenance to ensure it remains healthy.

Learn more - water wise gardens