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Water savings may deliver a reward for gardenersAugust 3, 2007 Deputy Premier Anna Bligh has welcomed the news that south-east Queenslanders may be spared a total ban on outdoor watering foreshadowed as part of Level 6 restrictions. Ms Bligh said the possible reprieve, contained in a Queensland Water Commission letter sent to mayors of the 12 councils under Level 5 water restrictions, was recognition of the tremendous water-saving efforts by SEQ households. "QWC has identified that there is only relatively small amounts of water now used on home gardens," Ms Bligh said. "People have made good decisions on how to save water around the house. They're using water from the shower on their plants or doing one less load of washing a week - everyone has their own solution that is keeping SEQ locked on Target 140. "Gardening brings tremendous pride and joy to thousands of people and if the water balance can be maintained, then that may be the way to go. But that is dependent on households sticking to Target 140. "The people of the south-east have made great sacrifices to cope with our worst drought and I don't want to see them hurt any more than necessary. " Ms Bligh said it made sense to shift the focus of Level 6 to savings that businesses were obliged to make under Water Efficiency Management Plans. Businesses using more than 1 million litres of water a year (about 2700 l/day) are required to show how they can cut usage by 25% or bring it line with world's best practice. "Early indications are that the majority of business savings have been 'big ticket' items from a handful of larger companies," Ms Bligh said. "Smaller businesses have the potential to do a lot more and that is where councils should now turn their attention." Media release from: Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Infrastructure, The Honourable Anna Bligh
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