The Southern Downs Regional Council will begin water meter readings across the region from next Monday 26 August 2019 until approximately the end of September 2019.
A council spokeswoman said SDRC’s Water team is reminding ratepayers and tenants to ensure that their water meters are easily accessible to Council meter readers.
“Water meters should be free from debris, grass, garden mulch, soil and other obstacles. If stop taps cannot be located easily in the event of a water leak, water damage and water consumption can escalate resulting in increased costs,” the spokeswoman said.
“Ratepayers are responsible for water infrastructure located on their property’s side of the water meter, including leaks in pipes or fixtures.
“Residents are also kindly asked to ensure that Council meter readers can gain entry to their property and water meter easily. If meter readers are unable to do so because gates are locked or animals prevent entry, a calling card will be left asking residents to contact the Council meter reader/s that attended the property to arrange access.
“The Utility Notices which include the Water Consumption Charges as well as the Water Access and Wastewater Access charges is scheduled to be issued in early October 2019. Like the Annual Rates Notice, Council has extended the due date of the Utility Notice to 60 days.”
POOLS TO BE FILLED…
The council says the outdoor council pools in Stanthorpe, Killarney and Allora will be “open again for public enjoyment in September, however necessary annual maintenance will require the pools be emptied and refilled after the winter closure”.
“With Southern Downs residents being asked to reduce water usage to 100L per person per day from 1 September 2019, the water emptied from the pools will be utilised for Council’s maintenance and roadworks, and the pools then refilled with treated raw and bore water to minimise water wastage,” a spokeswoman said.
Mayor Tracy Dobie said the pools are an asset to their local communities, and council is committed to their ongoing maintenance and reducing the water impact of the facilities being emptied and refilled.
“Council believes that the region’s swimming pools provide immense community and social benefits, especially with the expected hot, dry summer months ahead,” Cr Dobie said.
“Council is fully aware of the need to preserve the dwindling water supplies, however we believe it is not in the best interest of the community for the pools to remain closed over the spring and summer period to preserve water.
“The Council pools need to be emptied and cleaned before refilling in the weeks leading up to the re-opening because of algae build-up and duck faeces on the pools’ walls and bottoms.
“The pools will not be refilled with treated reticulated water that is supplied to urban ratepayers.
“Once cleaned, the Killarney and Stanthorpe pools will be filled with raw water from the Killarney water reservoirs and the Allora pool will be filled from bore water at Allora, and the water for all will be heavily treated and filtered to ensure they are safe to swim in.
“It is necessary for water to remain in the pools during the off-season to maintain structural stability as the water acts as a stabiliser to weigh down each pool.
“Likewise, draining or emptying pools of these sizes is not a long term option as the lack of water can create structural problems such as cracking and damaging surrounding paving or timber work.
“In-ground concrete pools similar in size to Council’s have had the entire structure pushed out of the ground when emptied during winter months.”
