Townsville Water is urging residents to cut back on water consumption through the current summer sizzle.

The call came after the city’s 24 hour water consumption peaked at 225 megalitres, well in excess of the average daily rate of 135 to 140 megalitres.

Director of Townsville Water, Ken Diehm, said the massive spike in water use was pushing the city’s water network to its limit.

“We’re asking residents to make sure they’re complying with the permanent water restrictions and watering only on their allocated days under the odds and evens system and not using sprinklers between 9am and 4pm,” Mr Diehm said.

“Our water network has the capacity to meet big spikes in usage over a few days but the system is really stretched over a sustained period of extreme levels of consumption.

“While we have good supplies in our dams, the city’s treatment plants are at full capacity to meet the big increase in demand.

“Obviously rain will ease the situation, but in the meantime, we’re reminding residents that everyone should be adhering to the water restrictions and using water wisely.”

Current Level 1 water restrictions (permanent all year round)
Odd numbered houses can water on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday,
Even numbered houses can water on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
Ban on sprinklers between 9am and 4pm on all days
Hand held watering permitted any time.