General News
19 September, 2025
Water conserve campaign despite rain
DESPITE heavy rain this week, which has caused minor flooding and road closures, Cairns Regional Council may have to implement water restrictions sooner than usual.
The council says the city’s water supply is being affected by repairs and upgrades at several water reservoirs and high usage in recent hot and dry weather.
The city’s Copperlode Falls Dam, which is the city’s main water source, was sitting at 93.6% on Wednesday after nearly 100mm had fallen in 24 hours.
As a first step, the council has launched an awareness campaign on water restrictions leading into the wet season.
Deputy mayor Brett Olds, who chaired this week’s ordinary meeting, urged residents to follow permanent water conservation measures which have been in place since 2007.
The measures include:
Odd-numbered houses can use sprinklers on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, 5am-9am and 5pm-9pm
Even-numbered properties can use sprinklers on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, 5am-9am and 5pm-9pm
No sprinkler use on Monday
Hand-held hoses with a trigger nozzle, watering cans and buckets can be used at any time.
Cr Olds said the city’s water supply had been affected by ongoing challenges to bring Brinsmead and Bayview reservoirs back online after upgrades, exacerbated by recent issues at the university reservoir at Smithfield, with its water storage capacity reduced.
“This is the driest winter we’ve experienced in the past few years and the increase in water use is placing a greater strain on Freshwater Creek water treatment plant,” he said.
“When the network is under pressure, it increases the likelihood of water main breaks or dirty water. I’d encourage the community to follow the permanent water conservation measures which outline days for odd and even numbered houses to use their sprinklers. This will help to take some of the load off the system.”
Cr Olds said with ongoing issues with some of the reservoirs may expedite level 1 restrictions, which reduces sprinkling duration from three to two hours, twice a day.
Cr Kristy Vallely (Div. 6), said there had been increased water main breaks, dirty water reports and lower than usual pressures.
