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Water

Water Restrictions

With Toowoomba's dam levels at around 12 per cent capacity, the city is currently battling hard to reduce water usage.

Under Level Five water restrictions, the following are currently prohibited:all outside watering using town water,using town water to fill pools, andwashing vehicles.
The following are currently allowed:using a bucket to wash the windscreen, windows, mirrors and headlights of a vehicle, and washing wheelie bins, animals and animal kennels.
The use of grey water from the laundry, shower or bath is permitted to be used on the garden. It is recommended that greywater be applied to the garden immediately, rather than allowing it to sit for a period of time. Over time, the concentration of chemicals in the water increases. Low phosphate and sodium washing detergents are best when using your grey water to water plants.

Water-wise Gardening

Water use in the garden can be reduced by using an adequate level of mulch on gardens and by watering plants more thoroughly but less frequently (rather than giving them a daily sprinkle). Using less water in the garden can also be achieved by refraining from watering during the hottest part of the day when up to 40% of the water may evaporate.

Also, native plants often require less water than exotic species. The following is a list of some water-wise plants which the Toowoomba City Council recommends for residents who want to reduce their garden water usage.

Groundcovers: Native Sarsparilla, Guinea Flower, Creeping Boobialla, Tri-colour Jasmine and Pink Star.Grasses / Succulents: Agave, Spreading Flax Lily, Iris, Day lily, Society Garlic, Grass Tree, New Zealand Flax, Mondo Grass, Mat Rush and Pig Face.Flowering Perennials and Annuals: Agapanthus, Native Daisy, Cone Flower, Butterfly Bush, Geraniums and Marmalade Daisy.Creepers: Bougainvillea, Banksia Rose, Chinese Star Jasmine and Ornamental Grape Vine. Small Shrubs: Abelia, Wattle, Heath Myrtle, Bottlebrush, Blue Bush, Native Pea, Lemon Scented Myrtle, Native Rosemary, Sacred Bamboo and Lavender. Medium Shrubs: Wattle, Tea Trees, Myrtle, Heath Mytle, Emu Bush and Grevillia. Large Shrubs: Wattle, Gums, Banksia, Butterfly Bush, Crepe Myrtle, New Zealand Christmas Bush, Port Wine Magnolia and Pomegranate.Trees: Weeping Myall, Wattle, Silk Tree, Narrow Leafed Bottle Tree, Bottle Brush, Silky Oak, Native Frangipani, Pine Tree, Lillypilly, Chinese Elm and Conifer.
Related Pages:Opinion: My water bill is too low!
SourcesPlanting Guide for WaterWise Gardeners (2004). Toowoomba City Council. http://www.toowoomba.qld.gov.au.Greenhouse Challenge Plus (2008). Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. http://www.environment.gov.au/settlements/challenge/publications/factsheets/fs6.html.Toowoomba Regional Council (2008). Toowoomba's Dams. http://www.toowoombarc.qld.gov.au