Bendigo residents saw out the end of 2021 with record breaking water usage, the highest daily amount used in the past year.
With temperatures reaching 37 degrees on the final day of the year, local residents recorded 76.8ML of water usage during the 24-hour period, beating the previous 2021 record of 75.60ML from 24 January.
Executive General Manager Climate and Population Adaptation Steve Healy said that although being hydrated and remaining cool on hot days it important, the record-breaking day is a timely reminder for customers to be aware of their water usage and use water wisely.
“The hot few days in our region saw our customers watering gardens and lawns, and staying cool,” said Mr Healy.
“While we always expect an increase in demand on hot days, as our region adapts to a hotter and drier climate, it is really important that when our customers are using water they are aware of how much they are using and they are using it efficiently.
“Customers can work out their water usage by looking at their Coliban Water bill, reading their meter and recording water usage over 24 hours, or using an online water usage calculator.
“By undertaking simple monitoring, customers will understand their water usage and find ways of saving water and money.
Permanent Water Saving Rules are a set of common-sense rules to make sure people use water efficiently.
“Permanent Water Saving Rules are in place at all times when no water restrictions are in force. The rules apply to our urban customers for watering gardens and lawns, fountains and water features, and cleaning outside.
“Using water efficiently not only saves water, but also saves energy and money. Everything we do to conserve water helps secure our water future and maintain greener and livable communities - giving us water to live, grow and enjoy,” said Mr Healy.
Further information on Permanent Water Saving Rules and How to Save Water is on our website.
Five Permanent Water Saving Rules
Trigger nozzle
- Use a leak-free hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle at any time.
Watering systems
- Watering systems can be used on residential or commercial gardens and lawns any day between 6pm and 10am.
- A bucket or watering can may be used at any time.
Public spaces
- Public gardens, lawns and playing surfaces can be watered at any time with a hand-held hose, bucket or watering can.
- A watering system fitted with a rain or soil moisture sensor can be used any day between 6pm and 10am.
Water features
- Only use fountains or water features that recirculate water.
Hard surfaces
- Use a high pressure hose, hand-held hose or bucket to water hard surfaces during construction or renovations or to remove a hazard.
- Hard surfaces can be cleaned once every 3 months if staining develops.