restrictions
With the combined level of the Water Grid dams falling below 60 per cent, Seqwater has activated the region's drought response plan and we’re continuing to encourage everyone to save water.         
There are no current water restrictions for Brisbane, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley and Somerset. Water restrictions are in place for most of our off-grid communities in the Scenic Rim.

Current conditions by region

Medium-level water restrictions apply to Beaudesert, Boonah, Kalbar, Mt Alford, Aratula, Rathdowney, Kooralbyn and Canungra.

These towns are not connected* to the SEQ Water Grid and rely on their own local water storages.

In September 2020, bulk water supplier, Seqwater enacted the Drought Response Plan for South East Queensland (SEQ), with the combined level of the Water Grid dams close to 60 per cent.

We thank the Scenic Rim community for your water saving efforts to date and encourage you to keep up the great work. It is important people keep up their handwashing and hygiene behaviours during the COVID-19 pandemic, but there are many other ways to reduce your water use.

*As Peak Crossing, Warrill View and Harrisville are connected to the SEQ Water Grid, water restrictions won't apply in these communities until the combined level of the Grid dams fall below 50 per cent.

Current conditions in Canungra

Canungra Creek is flowing again after more than 600mm of rain fell in the catchment in mid-December, providing relief from drought for the region’s town water supply.

Medium-level water restrictions remain in place in Canungra and across most towns in the Scenic Rim to help preserve local water storages which are not connected to the SEQ Water Grid.

South East Queensland, including Canungra, remains in drought response as the region’s combined dam levels are below 60 per cent.

We’d like to thank the community for their water saving efforts while we worked with Seqwater to manage the town water supply while there were low flows in Canungra Creek.

Current conditions in Boonah, Kalbar, Mt Alford and Aratula

Boonah, Kalbar, Mount Alford and Aratula rely on water sourced from Moogerah Dam for their drinking water, which then gets treated at Seqwater’s Kalbar Water Treatment Plant.

As of 15 January 2021, Moogerah Dam has dropped below 15 per cent capacity.

Medium-level water restrictions remain in place in Boonah, Kalbar, Aratula and Mount Alford and residents should be adhering to these as a minimum. We’re encouraging the community to continue to save water wherever they can.

Medium-level water restrictions also apply to water drawn from the tanker filling station. Based on a water security assessment, Seqwater has advised tankering to its Kalbar Water Treatment Plant to supplement the town water supply won’t be required until Moogerah Dam reaches seven per cent capacity. This means there are currently no changes to the tanker filling station in Boonah and it remains open to all users.

When the dam levels reach seven per cent, the tanker filling station in Boonah will be open for direct access for local off-network households through the 25mm outlet and the 75mm outlet will be closed. At that stage, commercial carting operators will be asked to use alternative locations.

Current conditions in Beaudesert, Rathdowney and Kooralbyn

Residents in Beaudesert, Kooralbyn and Rathdowney are being encouraged to step up their water saving efforts, with Maroon Dam falling below 50 per cent capacity. It’s the first time the dam has dropped below this level since early February 2020.

Beaudesert, Rathdowney and Kooralbyn entered drought response when the combined levels of the drinking water dams in South East Queensland (SEQ) fell below 60 per cent in September 2020 and Seqwater enacted the region’s drought plan.

These towns are not connected to the SEQ Water Grid and rely on water sourced from Maroon Dam, which is then treated at one of Seqwater’s local water treatment plants.

With Maroon Dam now under 50 per cent, this is a timely reminder to please adhere to the water restrictions in place.

Summary of the water sources for water supply schemes in the Scenic Rim:
Supply Scheme
 Bulk Water Source
Beaudesert Logan River, via Maroon Dam
Rathdowney
 Logan River, via Maroon Dam
Kooralbyn
 Logan River, via Maroon Dam
Kalbar, Boonah, Aratula and Mt Alford
 Reynolds Creek, via Moogerah Dam
Canungra Canungra Creek
More information

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Don’t be concerned; it’s perfectly legitimate. We understand drought is a challenging time and text is a timely way we can keep you updated.

Click here to receive SMS updates about Canungra's water supply

There are currently no water restrictions in Brisbane, however if we all do a little bit now, it could make a big difference down the track.

Bulk water supplier, Seqwater has enacted the Drought Response Plan for South East Queensland (SEQ), with the combined level of the Water Grid dams falling below 60 per cent.

Under the region’s Drought Response Plan, water restrictions are not required across South East Queensland until the combined Water Grid dam levels fall below 50 per cent.

We’d like to say thank you for your water saving efforts to date and encourage you to keep up the great work. It is important people keep up their handwashing and hygiene behaviours during the COVID-19 pandemic, but there are many other ways to reduce your water use.

Simple ways to save water inside include:
  • taking shorter showers,
  • turning the tap off while brushing your teeth, and
  • only doing full loads in the dishwasher or washing machine.
Outside the house:
  • avoid watering between 8am and 4pm,
  • mulch your garden to retain moisture, and
  • water less often but for a little longer to encourage deeper root growth.
More information:
There are currently no water restrictions in Ipswich, however if we all do a little bit now, it could make a big difference down the track.

Bulk water supplier, Seqwater has enacted the Drought Response Plan for South East Queensland (SEQ), with the combined level of the Water Grid dams falling below 60 per cent.

Under the region’s Drought Response Plan, water restrictions are not required across South East Queensland until the combined Water Grid dam levels fall below 50 per cent.

We’d like to say thank you for your water saving efforts to date and encourage you to keep up the great work. It is important people keep up their handwashing and hygiene behaviours during the COVID-19 pandemic, but there are many other ways to reduce your water use.

Simple ways to save water inside include:
  • taking shorter showers,
  • turning the tap off while brushing your teeth, and
  • only doing full loads in the dishwasher or washing machine.
Outside the house:
  • avoid watering between 8am and 4pm,
  • mulch your garden to retain moisture, and
  • water less often but for a little longer to encourage deeper root growth.
More information:
There are currently no water restrictions in the Lockyer Valley, however if we all do a little bit now, it could make a big difference down the track.
Bulk water supplier, Seqwater has now enacted the Drought Response Plan for South East Queensland (SEQ).Water supply in the Lockyer Valley is not connected to the SEQ Water Grid and relies on Seqwater’s water treatment plant at Lowood.

Under the region’s Drought Response Plan, water restrictions are not required across South East Queensland until the combined Water Grid dam levels fall below 50 per cent. 

We thank the Lockyer Valley community for your water saving efforts to date and encourage you to keep up the great work. It’s important that people keep up their handwashing and hygiene behaviours during the COVID-19 pandemic, but there are many other ways to reduce your water use.

Simple ways to save water inside include:
  • taking shorter showers,
  • turning the tap off while brushing your teeth, and
  • only doing full loads in the dishwasher or washing machine.
Outside the house:
  • avoid watering between 8am and 4pm,
  • mulch your garden to retain moisture, and
  • water less often but for a little longer to encourage deeper root growth.
More information:
Summary of the Lockyer Valley's water supply scheme:
Supply Scheme
 Bulk Water Source
Lowood (supplies Lowood, Fernvale, Glenore Grove, Gatton, Helidon, Withcott, Grantham, Forest Hill and Laidley)
 Wivenhoe Dam
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There are currently no water restrictions in Somerset, however if we all do a little bit now, it could make a big difference down the track.

Bulk water supplier, Seqwater has now enacted the Drought Response Plan for South East Queensland (SEQ).

Somerset isn’t connected to the SEQ Water Grid and relies on its own water storages and water treatment plants.

Seqwater operates six water treatment plants in Somerset which supply different parts of the region and are located at Lowood, Kilcoy, Somerset Dam township, Esk, Jimna and Linville.

Jimna entered level one drought response in May 2020, when Seqwater advised flows in Yabba Creek had dropped and water stopped flowing over the weir and into the ‘Big Hole’. Thanks to the recent rainfall water is flowing again, and while it has boosted Jimna's water supply it has also impacted operations at Seqwater's Jimna Water Treatment Plant. Seqwater is maintaining the town water supply using tankers until the treatment plant can be returned to normal operations. 

Under the region’s Drought Response Plan, water restrictions are not required across South East Queensland until the combined Water Grid dam levels fall below 50 per cent.

We thank the Somerset community for your water saving efforts to date and encourage you to keep up the great work. It is important people keep up their handwashing and hygiene behaviours during the COVID-19 pandemic, but there are many other ways to reduce your water use.

Simple ways to save water inside include:
  • taking shorter showers,
  • turning the tap off while brushing your teeth, and
  • only doing full loads in the dishwasher or washing machine.
Outside the house:
  • avoid watering between 8am and 4pm,
  • mulch your garden to retain moisture, and
  • water less often but for a little longer to encourage deeper root growth.
More information:
Summary of the water sources for water supply schemes in Somerset:
Supply Scheme
 Bulk Water Source
Jimna The Big Hole, via Yabba Creek
Linville
 Brisbane River at Linville
Kilcoy
 Somerset Dam
Somerset
 Somerset Dam
Esk/Toogoolawah Wivenhoe Dam
Lowood (supplies Lowood, Fernvale, Glenore Grove, Gatton, Helidon, Withcott, Grantham, Forest Hill and Laidley)
 Wivenhoe Dam
 
Subscribe to emails about Somerset's water supply

 restrictions

A quick guide to restrictions

The below is a summary only and does not contain all the restrictions. For full details, download the Water Restriction Schedules.

Activity
 What can you do?
 What can't you do?

For full details, download the Water Restriction Schedule 


Watering established lawns and gardens - Residential and non-residential premises

You can:

water established gardens and lawns at the following times:

  • odd numbered properties between 4am - 8am and 4pm - 8pm on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
  • even or un-numbered properties between 4am - 8am and 4pm - 8pm on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday

You can use:

  • a hand-held hose with a twist or trigger nozzle
  • Sprinklers with a timer

You can use a bucket or watering can at any time.

You can't:

  • use more than one hose at a time on a property
  • use a hose without a twist or trigger nozzle or hoses which are not hand-held (e.g. left to run hooked on a tree)
  • use a soaker hose
  • use sprinklers without a timer
Watering newly established lawns and gardens - Residential and non-residential premises

You can:

water new lawns and gardens using a sprinkler with a timer and hand-held hose with a twist or trigger nozzle for:

  • one hour only on the day of establishment, or
  • for one hour in total each day between 4am - 8am and 4pm - 8pm for 21 days after the date of establishment.

Where suitable fit-for-purpose alternative water supplies can be used, this must be used prior to using potable water supply.

General outdoor cleaning - Residential and non-residential premises

You can:

use water for general outdoor cleaning at any time using: 

  • a bucket
  • a hand-held hose
  • a high-pressure water cleaning unit.

General outdoor cleaning includes cleaning of:

  • vehicles
  • external surfaces of a building
  • materials and equipment
  • animal pet pens and enclosures.

Cleaning for health and safety is permitted at any time by any suitable means.

You can't

  • use potable water to remove loose items that could be easily removed by a broom, blower or similar device
     

 

 
Cleaning paved surfaces - Residential and non-residential premises

You can:

  • only use potable water to clean paved surfaces when dealing with significant soiling or to prevent material risks to health, safety or the environment
  • If this is the case, cleaning can only occur using a bucket, hand-held hose or a high-pressure water cleaning unit

You can’t:

  • use potable water to remove loose items that could be easily removed by a broom, blower or similar device.
Private pool and spa top ups - Residential

You can:

top up swimming pools and spas at any time if:

  • a down pipe diverter or rainwater tank is used, 
  • a pool cover is in place when pool is not in use, or
  • the pool is Climate Care certified
Water wastage - Residential and non-residential premises

You can:

  • help water saving efforts by repairing internal leaks as quickly as possible, such as dripping taps or leaking toilets.

 

 

 

You can't:

  • have leaking taps and plumbing fittings and overflowing containers or structures (including pools, spas and rainwater tanks)
  • allow water to flow onto roads, pathways and driveways during irrigation.

Activity
 What can you do?
 What can't you do?

For full details, download the Water Restriction Schedule

Watering established lawns and gardens - Residential and non-residential premises

You can:

water established gardens and lawns with a hand-held hose with a twist or trigger nozzle at the following times:

  • Odd numbered properties between 4am - 8am and 4pm - 8pm on Tuesday and Saturday
  • Even or un-numbered properties between 4am - 8am and 4pm - 8pm on Wednesday and Sunday.

You can use a bucket or watering can at any time.

You can't:

  • use sprinklers
  • use more than one hose at a time on a property
  • use a hose without a twist or trigger nozzle or hoses which are not hand-held

 
Watering newly established lawns and gardens - Residential and non-residential premises

You can:

water new lawns and gardens using a sprinkler with a timer and a hand-held hose with a twist or trigger nozzle for:

  • one hour only on the day of establishment,
  • your permitted watering times above,or
  • for one hour total each day between 4am - 8am and 4pm - 8pm for 14 days after the date of establishment.

Where suitable fit-for-purpose alternative water supplies can be used, this must be used prior to using potable water supply.

General outdoor cleaning - Residential and non-residential premises

You can:

use water for general outdoor cleaning at the following times:

  • odd numbered properties - Tuesday and Saturday
  • even or un-numbered properties - Wednesday and Sunday

You can use:

  • a bucket,
  • a hand‐held hose or
  • a high‐pressure water cleaning unit.

General outdoor cleaning includes cleaning of:

  • vehicles
  • external surfaces of a building
  • materials and equipment
  • animal pet pens and enclosures.

Cleaning for health and safety is permitted at any time by any suitable means.
Cleaning paved surfaces - Residential and non-residential premises

You can:

  • only use potable water to clean paved surfaces when dealing with significant soiling or to prevent material risks to health, safety or the environment.
  • If this is the case, cleaning can only occur using a bucket, hand-held hose or a high-pressure water cleaning unit.

 You can't:

  • use potable water to remove loose items that could be easily removed by a broom, blower or similar device.

 

 
Private pool and spa top ups - Residential

You can:

top up swimming pools and spas at any time if:

  • a down pipe diverter or rainwater tank is use,
  • a pool cover is in place when pool is not in use, or
  • the pool is Climate Care certified.
Water wastage - Residential and non-residential premises

You can:

  • help water saving efforts by repairing internal leaks as quickly as possible, such as dripping taps or leaking toilets.

 

 

 

You can't:

  • have leaking taps and plumbing fittings and overflowing containers or structures (including pools, spas and rainwater tanks)
  • allow water to flow onto roads, pathways and driveways during irrigation.

Activity
 What can you do?
 What can't you do?

For full details, download the Water Restriction Schedule

Watering established lawns and gardens - Residential and non-residential premises

You can:

use a bucket or watering can to water established gardens and lawns at the following times:

  • Odd numbered properties - 4am - 8am and 4pm - 8pm Tuesday and Saturday
  • Even or un-numbered properties - 4am - 8am and 4pm - 8pm Wednesday and Sunday.

You can't:

  • use sprinklers or hoses of any kind.

 

 

 
Watering newly established gardens and lawns - Residential and non-residential premises

You can:

use a bucket or watering can to water newly established gardens and lawns at the following times:

  • odd numbered properties - 4am - 8am and 4pm - 8pm Tuesday and Saturday
  • even or un-numbered properties - 4am - 8am and 4pm - 8pm Wednesday and Sunday.

 

 You can't:

  • use sprinklers or hoses of any kind.
General outdoor cleaning - Residential and non-residential premises

You can:

use water for general outdoor cleaning at the following times:

  • odd numbered properties - 4am - 8am and 4pm - 8pm Tuesday and Saturday
  • even or un-numbered properties - 4am - 8am and 4pm - 8pm Wednesday and Sunday.

You can use:

  • a bucket or
  • a high-pressure water cleaning unit.

General outdoor cleaning includes cleaning of:

  • vehicles
  • external surfaces of a building
  • materials and equipment
  • animal pet pens and enclosures.

Cleaning for health and safety is permitted at any time by any suitable means.

 You can't:

  • use a hose for general cleaning of hard surfaces such as paths, driveways and paved area
Cleaning paved surfaces - Residential and non-residential premises

You can:

  • only use town water supplies to clean paved surfaces for health and safety reasons, at any time by any suitable means.

You can't

  • use potable water to remove loose items that could be easily removed by a broom, blower or similar device.
Private pool and spa top ups - Residential

You can:

top up swimming pools and spas at any time if:

  • a down pipe diverter or rainwater tank is use,
  • a pool cover is in place when pool is not in us, or
  • the pool is Climate Care certified. 
Water wastage - Residential and non-residential premises

You can:

  • help water saving efforts by repairing internal leaks as quickly as possible, such as dripping taps or leaking toilets.

 

You can't:

  • have leaking taps and plumbing fittings and overflowing containers or structures (including pools, spas and rainwater tanks)
  • allow water to flow onto roads, pathways and driveways during irrigation.

Activity
 What can you do?
 What can't you do?

For full details, download the Water Restriction Schedule

Watering established lawns and gardens - Residential and non-residential premises

There is a total outdoor watering ban.

 

You can't:

  • use sprinklers, hoses, watering cans or buckets
Watering newly established lawns and gardens - Residential and non-residential premises
 There is a total outdoor watering ban.

You can't:

  • use sprinklers, hoses, watering cans or buckets
General outdoor cleaning - Residential and non-residential premises

You can:

use water for general outdoor cleaning, only when using a bucket filled directly from a tap to:

  • spot clean a surface to remove potentially paint or surface damaging mark, 
  • clean only vehicle mirrors, vehicle lights, glass and number plates to maintain safe operation and satisfy number plate visibility requirements,
  • clean other such parts of a vehicle to comply with statutory or regulatory operation, or
  • flush an inboard or outboard motor or vehicle brake to prevent corrosion and maintain safe operation.

Cleaning for health and safety is permitted at any time by any suitable means.

 
Cleaning paved surfaces - Residential and non-residential premises

You can:

  • only use town water supplies to clean paved surfaces for health and safety reasons, at any time by any suitable means.

You can’t:

  • use potable water to remove loose items that could be easily removed by a broom, blower or similar device.
Private pool and spa top ups - Residential

Town water is not permitted to be used for swimming pool and spa top ups.

Water wastage - Residential and non-residential premises

You can:

  • help water saving efforts by repairing internal leaks as quickly as possible, such as dripping taps or leaking toilets.

 

You can't:

  • have leaking taps and plumbing fittings and overflowing containers or structures (including pools, spas and rainwater tanks)

Activity
 What can you do?
 What can't you do?

For full details, download the Water Restriction Schedule

Watering established lawns and gardens - Residential and non-residential premises
 There is a total outdoor watering ban.

You can't:

  • use sprinklers, hoses, watering cans or buckets.
Watering newly established lawns and gardens - Residential and non-residential premises
 There is a total outdoor watering ban.

You can't:

  • use sprinklers, hoses, watering cans or buckets.
General outdoor cleaning - Residential and non-residential premises

You can:

Use water for general outdoor cleaning, only when using a bucket filled directly from a tap to:

  • spot clean a surface to remove potentially paint or surface damaging mark,
  • clean only vehicle mirrors, vehicle lights, glass and number plates to maintain safe operation and satisfy number plate visibility requirements, or
  • clean other such parts of a vehicle as required to comply with statutory or regulatory obligations.

Water can also be used to flush an inboard or outboard motor or vehicle brakes to prevent corrosion and maintain safe operation.

Cleaning for health and safety is permitted at any time by any suitable means.

Cleaning paved surfaces - Residential and non-residential premises

 You can:

  • only use town water supplies to clean paved surfaces for health and safety reasons, at any time by any suitable means.

 You can't:

  • use potable water to remove loose items that could be easily removed by a broom, blower or similar device.
Private pool and spa top ups - Residential premises

Town water is not permitted to be used for swimming pool and spa top ups.

Water wastage - Residential and non-residential premises

You can:

  • help water saving efforts by repairing internal leaks as quickly as possible, such as dripping taps or leaking toilets.

 

You can't:

  • have leaking taps and plumbing fittings and overflowing containers or structures.

Dam levels

Seqwater manages the dams in South East Queensland and update their dam level information every 24 hours.
View dam levels