Level 5 water restrictions in Goulburn in 2006. Goulburn is a provincial City in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia in Goulburn Mulwaree Council.

Pejar dam, the water supply for Goulburn in November 2005

Water restrictions are currently in place in many regions and cities of Australia in response to chronic shortages resulting from drought. Drought in Australia is defined as rainfall over a three month period being in the lowest Decile of what has been recorded for that region in the past Depending upon the location, these can include restrictions on watering lawns, using sprinkler systems, washing vehicles, hosing in paved areas and refilling swimming pools, among others. A lawn is an area of recreational or amenity land planted with grass, and sometimes Clover and other plants which are maintained at a low even height Irrigation sprinklers are used on farms golf courses residential yards and other places to water crops, Lawns Gardens or other plants in the Vehicles, derived from the Latin word vehiculum, are non-living Means of transport. A swimming pool, swimming bath, wading pool, or simply a pool, is an artificially enclosed Body of water intended for Swimming or Increasing population and evidence of drying climates, coupled with corresponding reductions in the supply of drinking water, have led various state governments to consider alternative water sources to supplement existing sources, and to implement "water inspectors" who can issue penalties to those who waste water.

As of July 2007 some areas and towns have no water restrictions, including the Northern Territory, Regional Tasmania, Newcastle, Bathurst and Dubbo. The Northern Territory is a federal territory of Australia, occupying much of the center of the mainland continent as well as the central northern regions Tasmania is an Australian island and state of the same name It is located south of the eastern side of the Continent, being separated from it by Bass The Newcastle metropolitan area is the second most populated area in the state of New South Wales and includes most of the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Bathurst is a regional centre in the state of New South Wales, Australia approximately 200km west of Sydney and is the seat of the Bathurst Regional Council Dubbo is a city in the Central West Region of New South Wales, Australia. There are also a few parts of Australia where the water storage levels are at or close to 100%, such as Taree. Taree is a city on the Mid North Coast, New South Wales, Australia.

Many states describe the different levels of water restrictions in terms of "stages": starting at Stage 1, for the least restrictive, going up as far as Stage 8. The highest level reached in the current drought has been stage 7 for Kingaroy. Kingaroy is an agricultural town in Queensland, Australia, approximately 209 kilometres or about 2 There are different definitions given to each "stage" in different States.

Water restrictions by State or Territory

Australian Capital Territory

There are presently four stages of temporary water restrictions which can be imposed by ACTEW Corporation:^[1]

Canberra was subject to Stage 1 restrictions from 1 November 2005, which were increased to Stage 2 after a year on 1 November 2006. } The Australian Capital Territory (ACT is the Capital territory of the Commonwealth of Australia and its smallest self-governing internal territory ACTEW Corporation Limited is the Water, Sewerage, Natural gas, Telecommunications and Energy utility in Canberra, Greywater, also known as sullage, is non-industrial wastewater generated from domestic processes such as dish washing Canberra ( is the capital city of Australia With a population of over 340000 it is Australia's largest inland City. Events 996 - Emperor Otto III issues a deed to Gottschalk Bishop of Freising which is the oldest known document using the name Ostarrîchi Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 996 - Emperor Otto III issues a deed to Gottschalk Bishop of Freising which is the oldest known document using the name Ostarrîchi Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. The continuing drought led to a further increase to Stage 3 from 16 December 2006; the restrictions were maintained at Stage 3 throughout 2007. Events 755 - An Lushan revolts against Chancellor Yang Guozhong at Fanyang, initiating the An Shi Rebellion Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.

New South Wales

The different classification levels of water restrictions in New South Wales vary widely, and are set by the different authorities responsible for water throughout the state.

Sydney

The following Levels have been used by Sydney Water to describe the different stages of water restrictions it has imposed:^[2][3]

Falling dam levels prompted Sydney Water to impose Level 1 water restrictions on the Sydney area from 1 October 2003. Sydney (ˈsɪdniː is the most populous city in Australia, with a Metropolitan area population of approximately 4 Sydney Water is a New South Wales government owned corporation that provides Drinking water, Wastewater and some Stormwater services to Events 331 BC - Alexander the Great defeats Darius III of Persia in the Battle of Gaugamela. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ^[4] When these restrictions failed to stem the reduction in the city's water supplies as a result of continuing drought, and with dam levels dropping below 50 per cent, Level 2 water restrictions were introduced from 1 June 2004. Events 193 - Roman Emperor Didius Julianus is Assassinated 987 - Hugh Capet is elected "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Further reductions in dam levels to below 40 per cent of capacity led to an increase to Level 3 water restrictions from 1 June 2005. Events 193 - Roman Emperor Didius Julianus is Assassinated 987 - Hugh Capet is elected Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Level 3 water restrictions remain in place as of February 2008, however higher dam levels may lead to reductions in water restrictions in the near future. ^[5]

To deal with its water shortage, New South Wales has followed the same path as Western Australia, announcing a new desalination plant for Sydney to cost $1. Sydney (ˈsɪdniː is the most populous city in Australia, with a Metropolitan area population of approximately 4 3 billion ^[6].

Regional NSW

As different towns in regional New South Wales take their drinking water from different sources, different levels of water restrictions apply. The levels or stages which apply in certain towns are as follows:

• Bathurst - no restrictions
• Cobar- stage 5
• Dubbo - no restrictions
• Gosford - stage 4 from 1 October 2006
• Goulburn had Stage 5 water restrictions imposed from 1 October 2004, and went on to win a National Water Conservation Award for Excellence due to the water which had been conserved. Bathurst is a regional centre in the state of New South Wales, Australia approximately 200km west of Sydney and is the seat of the Bathurst Regional Council Cobar is a town in northwestern New South Wales, Australia. It is located 711 km (442 miles northwest of Sydney. Dubbo is a city in the Central West Region of New South Wales, Australia. Gosford is a city located on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia, approximately 80km north of the Sydney Central business district Goulburn is a provincial City in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia in Goulburn Mulwaree Council. Events 331 BC - Alexander the Great defeats Darius III of Persia in the Battle of Gaugamela. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " ^[7]. From 5 July 2007, Golburn relaxed its water restrictions to Level 3. Events 1295 - Scotland and France form an alliance the beginnings of the Auld Alliance, against England. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ^[8]
• Griffith - stage 2 introduced on 27 November 2007^[9]
• Leeton - level 3 introduced on 9 October 2007^[10]
• Orange - level 5 from 1 May 2008
• Port Macquarie - stage 1 from September 2006
• Taree - summer water saving restrictions
• Wagga Wagga - level 1 introduced on 10 December 2007^[11]

Northern Territory

Currently, no water restrictions apply in Darwin. Griffith is a city in south-western New South Wales, Australia. Leeton is a town and Local Government Area in the Riverina region of New South Wales, Australia. Orange is a provincial city in New South Wales, Australia. It is located on the Mitchell Highway, west of Sydney at an altitude of. Port Macquarie is a large town on the mid- North Coast of New South Wales, Australia, located about 390 km north of Sydney, and 570km south of Brisbane Taree is a city on the Mid North Coast, New South Wales, Australia. Wagga Wagga The Northern Territory is a federal territory of Australia, occupying much of the center of the mainland continent as well as the central northern regions

Queensland

Some of the details of the different stages of water restrictions which apply in Queensland for the residential sector are as follows:^[12]

Although some regions of Queensland have had traditionally high rainfalls, some regions of Queensland have been subject to the toughest water restrictions in place in Australia. Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern corner of the mainland continent The highest level of water restrictions reached in the current drought has been stage 7 for Kingaroy. Kingaroy is an agricultural town in Queensland, Australia, approximately 209 kilometres or about 2 Toowoomba, Brisbane and South East Queensland are currently at Level 6 restrictions. Toowoomba (nicknamed 'The Garden City' is a City in South East Queensland, Australia. Brisbane ( is the state capital of Queensland. Brisbane is the third most populous city in Australia and the most populous city of Queensland

On 13 May 2005, 13 local councils in southeast Queensland, including those in Brisbane, agreed to impose Stage 1 water restrictions, due to drying dams. Events 1497 - Pope Alexander VI excommunicates Girolamo Savonarola. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. ^[13] These restrictions were increased to Stage 2 from 3 October 2005, which at the time were described as the "toughest water restrictions in southeast Queensland's history". Events 42 BC - First Battle of Philippi: Triumvirs Mark Antony and Octavian fight an indecisive battle with Caesar's Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. ^[14] Stage 3 water restrictions were imposed on the region from 13 June 2006 amid projections that water storage levels would drop to 5% within 26 months. Events 1525 - Martin Luther marries Katharina von Bora, against the Celibacy rule decreed by the Roman Catholic Church for Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ^[15] Water restrictions continued to increase, to Stage 4 from 1 November 2006,^[16] stage 5 from 10 April 2007, and up to Stage 6 from 23 November 2007. Events 996 - Emperor Otto III issues a deed to Gottschalk Bishop of Freising which is the oldest known document using the name Ostarrîchi Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 879 - Louis III becomes King of the Western Franks. 1407 - the lama Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 800 - Charlemagne arrives at Rome to investigate the alleged crimes of Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.

Other towns and regions of Queensland are subject to different levels of water restrictions, as set out below:

• Cairns - permanent restrictions
• Gold Coast - stage 6 from 23 November 2007, stage 5 from 10 April 2007, stage 4 from 1 November 2006
• Kingaroy - Stage 7 from 1 October 2007 ^[17]
• Toowoomba - stage 6 from 23 November 2007, stage 5 from 26 September 2006. This article is about the Australian city Gold Coast For other uses see Gold Coast. Kingaroy is an agricultural town in Queensland, Australia, approximately 209 kilometres or about 2 Toowoomba (nicknamed 'The Garden City' is a City in South East Queensland, Australia. In 2006, the town council proposed the use of recycled wastewater to supplement town water from dams, however the scheme was rejected by the town's population and the town has since resorted to drilling artesian and sub-artesian bores as an alternative source of drinking water. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Sewage treatment, or domestic wastewater treatment, is the process of removing Contaminants from Wastewater, both Runoff ( Effluents See Great Artesian Basin for the water source in Australia An artesian aquifer is a confined aquifer containing Groundwater
• Townsville - stage 2 from 15 November 2006, stage 1 from 12 Feb 2007

Source: Queensland Water Restrictions, Queensland Water Commission

South Australia

The different levels of residential water restrictions which have been applied to different regions of South Australia by SA Water are as follows:

Different water restrictions levels apply to different parts of the state, depending upon the source of drinking water used in that region. Townsville is a city on the north-eastern coast of Australia, in the state of Queensland. South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country SA Water was established as the Waterworks and Drainage Commission in 1856 and was also known as Engineering and Water Supply Department (E&WS. Standard time was introduced into Australia in the 1890s when all colonies adopted standard times Standard time was introduced into Australia in the 1890s when all colonies adopted standard times SA Water have produced a map showing the current areas of water restrictions.

Areas using Murray River water

Adelaide and much of south-eastern South Australia takes its drinking water from the Murray River. Adelaide is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of South Australia, and is the fifth largest city in Australia with a The Murray River, or River Murray and sometimes informally referred to as the "Mighty Murray" is Australia 's largest River. Permanent water conservation measures were put into place in this region in 2003,^[18] and as a result of the most severe drought to hit the region since the 1940s,^[18] Level 2 water restrictions were imposed from 22 October 2006 on those areas (including metropolitan Adelaide) which use water from the Murray River. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 202 BC - Hannibal Barca, leader of the Carthaginians, is defeated by the Roman legions under Scipio Africanus Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ^[19] Even lower inflows to the Murray River over the course of 2006 led to the even tougher Level 3 water restrictions being imposed on the region from 1 January 2007,^[20] which remain in place. New Year See also New Year The Ancient Romans began their consular year on January 1st since 153 BC Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.

Other areas

The Eyre Peninsula draws most of its drinking water from underground basins,^[21] which progressively became depleted through drought and high consumption, prompting the State Government to introduce water restrictions on the entire region from 6 December 2002, apart from Whyalla. Eyre Peninsula is a triangular Peninsula in South Australia. It is bounded on the east by Spencer Gulf, the west by the Great Australian Bight Events 1060 - Béla I of Hungary is crowned king of Hungary 1240 - Mongol invasion of Rus: Kiev See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. Whyalla is the third most populous City in South Australia after Adelaide and Mount Gambier. ^[21] The water restrictions for the peninsula remain in force as of 2008.

Conversely, the areas in the south east of the State, south of the town of Keith, are subject to the permanent water conservation measures. Keith ( elevation 31 metres is a small farming town in the south-east of South Australia with a population of around 1200

Other areas in the state are not subject to water restrictions. These areas include Murray Mallee, areas north of Port Augusta, Kangaroo Island, Cockburn, Hawker, Melrose, Ororoo, Parachilna, Quorn, Warooka, Wilmington, Terowie, Yunta, Olary and Manna Hill. The Murray Mallee is the grain -growing and Sheep -farming area of South Australia bounded to the north and west by the Murray River, to the east Port Augusta (post code 5700 ( is the fifth most populous City in South Australia after Adelaide, Mount Gambier, Whyalla and Kangaroo Island is Australia 's third largest Island - after Tasmania and Melville Island. Cockburn (/kəʉkbɜːn bɜːnz/ is a town on the border of South Australia and New South Wales near Broken Hill. Hawker ( is a town in the Flinders Ranges area of South Australia, 365 km north of Adelaide. Melrose ( is the oldest town in the Flinders Ranges. It is in the shadow of Mount Remarkable, 265 km north of Adelaide. Parachilna ( was once a town in South Australia The town was first surveyed in 1863 due to its closeness to a government Water well. Quorn ( is a township and railhead in the Flinders Ranges in the north of South Australia, 39 km northeast of Port Augusta. Terowie is a small town north of Adelaide, in northern South Australia.

Tasmania

Hobart has been subject to Stage 1 restrictions since 18 December 2006. Tasmania is an Australian island and state of the same name It is located south of the eastern side of the Continent, being separated from it by Bass Hobart is the state capital and most populous city of the Australian island state of Tasmania. Events 218 BC - Second Punic War: Battle of the Trebia - Hannibal 's Carthaginian forces defeat those of the Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.

Victoria

The different stages of water restrictions which apply in different areas of Victoria are based upon the Victorian Uniform Drought Water Restriction Guidelines,^[22] however they have been modified by the inclusion of a "Stage 3a", to reduce the likelihood of needing to impose Stage 4 restrictions in metropolitan Melbourne. ^[23]

The status of water restrictions in different regions of Victoria is as set out below:

• Bairnsdale - now off water restrictions and on permanent water saving rules as of 24 August 2007
• Ballarat - stage 4 from 1 November 2006
• Bendigo area - stage 4 from October 2006
• Broadford - stage 4 from 1 February 2007
• Geelong - stage 4 from 9 December 2006
• Central Gippsland - stage 2 from 22 November 2006
• Coongulla & Glenmaggie - stage 4 from 24 February 2007
• Horsham - stage 4 from 1 October 2006
• Mansfield area - stage 4 for Mansfield from 16 December 2006; other areas nearby on stage 1 and 2
• Melbourne - stage 1 from 28 August 2006 ^[24], stage 2 from 1 November 2006^[25], stage 3 from 1 January 2007, Stage 3a from 1 April 2007. Bairnsdale ( is a town in Gippsland, Victoria, Australia. With a population at the 2006 census of 11282 it is a major regional centre Ballarat (formerly spelt "Ballaarat" is a city in Victoria, Australia, and one of the country's largest inland cities Bendigo is a regional city in central Victoria Australia, located in the City of Greater Bendigo. Broadford is a small town in central Victoria, Australia. At the 2006 census, Broadford had a population of 3054 MCite/Citephp.--> Geelong (dʒəˈlɔŋ is the second largest city in the state Gippsland is a large rural region in Victoria, Australia. It begins immediately east of the suburbs of Melbourne and stretches to the New South Wales border Horsham is the largest city by population and regional centre of the Wimmera region of Australia. Mansfield is a small town in the foothills of the Victorian part of the Australian Alps. Melbourne ( is the second most populous city in Australia, with a Metropolitan area population of approximately 3 Similar tough restrictions were last introduced in Melbourne in February 1983. Melbourne ( is the second most populous city in Australia, with a Metropolitan area population of approximately 3 ^[26]
• Mildura - stage 1 from December 2006
• Omeo - stage 2 from 11 December 2006
• North east region - Bright reverted back to stage 2 and Springhurst reverted back to stage 1 on 10 September 2007. Mildura is a regional city in northwestern Victoria, Australia, part of the Rural City of Mildura. Omeo is a town in Victoria, Australia, located on the Great Alpine Road, east of Mount Hotham, in the Shire of East Gippsland. Bright (postcode 3741 is a small sized town located in Victoria, Australia, 319 metres above Sea level and in North Eastern Victoria at the southeastern Most of the Murray towns went to Stage 4 on 1 July 2007 (eg Wodonga, Yarrawonga, Rutherglen etc), and on 11 July 2007 Devenish, St James and Tungamah went to stage 3.

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

Western Australia

The different stages of water restrictions which can currently be applied in Western Australia are as follows:^[27]

Canning Dam, one Perth's major dams, at 34. Canning Dam is a major water source for the city of Perth Western Australia. 4% of capacity

Victoria Dam, at 30. Victoria Dam is a small Water supply Dam providing water for the city of Perth Western Australia. 6% of capacity

Water restrictions have been employed in various Western Australian towns when poor rainfall has led to water shortages. For instance, in the summer of 1977-78, Perth was subject to a total sprinkler ban. Also 1977 (album by Ash. Year 1977 ( MCMLXXVII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays Year 1978 ( MCMLXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar) Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia. ^[28][29] Newman and Nullagine experienced water restrictions from 1991 and 1992 onwards as the result of drought. Newman, located about 1186 km north of Perth and 9 km north of the Tropic of Capricorn, is a town in the Pilbara region Nullagine is an old goldrush town in Western Australia 's Pilbara region Year 1991 ( MCMXCI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar. Year 1992 ( MCMXCII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar) ^[30] Similarly, resort towns Yallingup and Dunsborough experienced water restrictions in 1997 during a heatwave,^[31] and Kalgoorlie-Boulder had temporary water restrictions imposed during 1998 due to shortages in its reservoirs (which contain water pumped through the Goldfields Water Supply Scheme). Yallingup is a town in the South West region of Western Australia, south of Perth. Dunsborough is a coastal town in the South West of Western Australia, south of Perth on the shores of Geographe Bay. Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar The City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder is a Local Government Area in the Goldfields-Esperance region of Western Australia, about east of the state capital Year 1998 ( MCMXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar) The Goldfields Water Supply Scheme, also known by names such as the Goldfields Pipeline, Goldfields and Agricultural Water Supply Scheme (GAWS, and originally ^[32]

A Stage 1 ban on using reticulation sprinklers between 9. 00am and 6. 00pm was imposed on Perth residents in 1996,^[28] and remains in place to this day. Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia. Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) This was the first water restriction imposed on the state's most populous city since the total spinkler ban in 1978. Year 1978 ( MCMLXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar) ^[28] From September 2001, users of the Integrated Water Supply Scheme (covering Perth, its surrounds and towns on the Goldfields pipeline) were subject to Stage 4 restrictions, only permitted to use reticulation sprinklers two days per week, according to a roster. Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. The Goldfields Water Supply Scheme, also known by names such as the Goldfields Pipeline, Goldfields and Agricultural Water Supply Scheme (GAWS, and originally

The town of Northampton in the Mid-West encountered a water shortage in 2006 where its underground aquifer could not meet demand. Northampton is a town north of Geraldton, in the Mid West region of Western Australia. Stage 5 watering restrictions were imposed,^[33] and the Water Corporation resorted to carting tankers of water to the town to maintain the supply. The Water Corporation is a government-owned corporation in Western Australia charged with providing Water, Sewerage, Drainage and Irrigation ^[34]

Stage 4 water restrictions were imposed in the South-West towns of Bridgetown, Balingup, Boyup Brook, Hester, Kirup, Greenbushes and Mullalyup from 13 October 2006. Bridgetown is a town in the South West region of Western Australia, approximately south of Perth on the Blackwood River at the intersection Balingup is a town located in the South West of Western Australia, south of the state capital Perth, and southeast of the town of Donnybrook Boyup Brook is a town located in the South West of Western Australia, south-southeast of Perth and northeast of Bridgetown. Hester is a small town in the South West region of Western Australia, 7km north of Bridgetown on the railway Kirup is situated between Donnybrook and Mullalyup on the South Western Highway, 228 km south of Perth, Western Australia at Greenbushes is a timber and mining town located in the South West region of Western Australia. Mullalyup is a town in the South West region of Western Australia, situated between Kirup and Balingup on the South Western Highway Events 54 - Nero ascends to the Roman throne 409 - Vandals and Alans crossed the Pyrenees Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ^[33]

On 1 October 2007, water restrictions were expanded to cover the entire state, including those towns serviced by utilities other than the Water Corporation. Events 331 BC - Alexander the Great defeats Darius III of Persia in the Battle of Gaugamela. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The Water Corporation is a government-owned corporation in Western Australia charged with providing Water, Sewerage, Drainage and Irrigation Under the new system, all areas of the state in the region south of Kalbarri and Kalgoorlie (including Perth and most of the state's population) which use scheme water are subject to Stage 4 restrictions. ^[35] Areas north of the dividing line are subject to Stage 2 restrictions. ^[36] Furthermore, whereas the water restrictions had previously only restricted the use of mains water to water gardens and lawns by sprinkler, under the new water restrictions unlicensed bore operators in Perth and its surrounds are restricted to watering their gardens three times per week. A borehole is the generalised term for any narrow shaft drilled in the ground either vertically or horizontally ^[37] This was to slow the depletion of underground aquifers from which Perth sources much of its drinking water.

Efforts are being made to secure alternative water sources to ease water shortages in the Integrated Water Supply Scheme. Integral to the Government's strategy is the construction of desalination plants to service Perth. One has already been constructed in Kwinana, which supplies 17% of the city's water consumption and is the largest desalination plant in both the Southern and Eastern hemispheres. Kwinana is a Local Government Area of Western Australia. It covers an area of approximately 118 square kilometres in metropolitan Perth, and Southern Hemisphere is the half of a Planet that is South of the Equator —the word hemisphere literally means 'half ball' Eastern Hemisphere, also Eastern hemisphere or eastern hemisphere, is a geographical term for the half of the Earth that is east of the ^[38] A second proposed desalination plant near Binningup is expected to be completed by 2011. Binningup is a town located on the coast in the South West region of Western Australia between Mandurah and Bunbury. ^[39] A trial has also been announced to treat wastewater and pump it into underground aquifers to undergo natural filtration as it returns to the dwindling groundwater supply. Sewage treatment, or domestic wastewater treatment, is the process of removing Contaminants from Wastewater, both Runoff ( Effluents ^[40]

Water storage levels

Sources: Water Services Association of Australia, Melbourne Water [1] (listed as percent)

Criticism

Water restrictions has been criticised by experts for hampering the economy and the lifestyles of people. [2]

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. Desalination, desalinization, or desalinisation refers to any of several processes that remove excess salt and other Minerals from Water [3]

Former Australian Environment Minister, Malcolm Turnbull says that it does not make sense to have permanent water restrictions just as there are no electricity restrictions. Malcolm Bligh Turnbull (born 24 October 1954 is an Australian politician the current Leader of the Opposition in the Australian Parliament, and parliamentary [4]

See also

• Climate change in Australia
• Global warming
• Drought in Australia
• Outdoor water-use restriction

References