Water Services

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Water Restrictions

LEVEL 1 WATER RESTRICTIONS ARE CURRENTLY IN PLACE IN ST GEORGE

Council’s remaining river water allocation has 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.

The below table gives an overview of Level 1 Water Restrictions for river water use.

LEVEL 0 WATER RESTRICTIONS - ST GEORGE RIVER WATER
Residential properties	Can water any time, any day – considering advised target levels of 3.0kL (3,000L) per day and 90kL (90,000L) per month.
All Schools and Caravan Parks	9am-12noon and 3pm-6pm - Monday to Thursday
Other Businesses	Odd Property Numbers - 7am-11am and 2pm-6pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Even Property Numbers - 7am-11am and 2pm-6pm on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
Rowden Park, Showgrounds, Other Town Parks and Council Facilities	In accordance with parks and gardens program.
Handheld Hoses - All Consumers	Water any time.
Other and variations to the above	Subject to Individual Council Approval.
Open-ended, unattended hoses must not be used at any location at any time.

How to read your water meter

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

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

Water Supply Networks

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

Town	Water Source
Bollon	Untreated artesian bore supply.
Dirranbandi	Treated water mixed with untreated artesian bore supply.
Hebel	Untreated artesian bore supply.
Mungindi	Moree Plains Shire Council treats water from the town weir on the Bokhara River in Mungindi, NSW and meters it before it crosses the border to Balonne Shire ratepayers in Mungindi Qld.
St George (Indoor)	Untreated artesian bore supply.
St George (Outdoor)	An untreated supply from the town weir on the Balonne River is used for gardens, toilets and fire fighting. Water is purchased from SunWater, who determines Council's allocation according to supply availability.
Thallon	Untreated artesian bore supply.

Rainwater Tanks

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.

Waterwise Tips for your Garden

Saving Water in the Garden

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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.