The Geat Victorian Drought

[glen]

Hi everyone,



I was shocked to here during the week that the latest drought is resulting in one australian farmer committing suicide every 4 days! This situation is absolutely terrible.



I dug up some temperature and rainfall records for victoria and have attached some graphs below.



Temperatures are clearly on their way up. In regard to rainfall, we have had similar dry spells in the past but it sounds like this one will last a lot longer than any previous ones. time will tell.



cheers, glen

[katie]

Hi there,



I hear that new water restrictions are coming in. It doesn't really affect me though because I never wash my car and I barely find the time to do any watering in the garden! <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> LOL

[glen]

you can read more about the water restrictions here -



[url="http://www.ourwater.vic.gov.au"]http://www.ourwater.vic.gov.au[/url]



Stage 2 water restrictions start 1 November 2006



here are some of the State 2 restriction requirements:



New Stage 2 water restrictions



* Watering of lawns is banned for residents, businesses local councils and sports grounds. There are specified playing surfaces that can be watered, eg cricket wicket and golf green.

* Hoses cannot be used to wash cars at any time. Cars can only be washed using a bucket which is filled directly from a tap, high-pressure cleaning device or commercial car wash.

* Watering systems can only be used to water gardens on alternate days* during specific times:

- Manual (non-automatic) watering systems between 6am – 8am and 8pm – 10pm

- Automatic watering systems between midnight - 4am

* Gardens can be watered at any time using a hose fitted with a hand-held trigger nozzle.

* Alternate days means odd numbered houses can water on odd dates of the month and even numbered houses can water on even numbered dates. For example if you live at 45 Park Street, you can only use your watering system on the 1st, 3rd, 5th etc… of the month. For more information please review the 'full details' link of stage 1 water restrictions below.



Existing (Permanent Water Saving Rules) that still apply



* Hand-held hoses must be fitted with a trigger nozzle.

* Hosing down driveways, paths, concrete and paved areas is not permitted.

* Consult water authority before filling a pool.