Evens numbered properties can water today, Thursday and Sunday from 6pm – 8am.

Odd numbered properties have their chance tomorrow and Saturday from 6pm – 8am.

There is to be no watering of hard surfaces.

Hand held watering via a bucket or watering can is permitted at any time. 

Katherine residents use 529 litres of water per person per day, almost double the national average.

Authorities are working to reduce our water use by 20 per cent to cope with PFAS chemical contamination in town drinking water during the peak demand months of September and October.

The Northern Territory Government has announced water conservation measures for Katherine to help manage the town’s drinking water supply during the upcoming peak demand period.

Reducing the amount of water Katherine residents use will help Power and Water to manage the quality of the town’s drinking water to keep the levels of Poly – Fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) within the national Health Based Guidance Values.

Power and Water has already commenced working with major water consumers across Katherine to reduce their use and their Living Water Smart leak checkers have started checking water meters for leaks.

The water conservation measures start 21 August to help manage water demand, particularly during the town’s peak months of September and October and include the following restricted use of water:

·         Odd numbered properties are permitted to irrigate Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 6pm – 8am

·         Even numbered properties are permitted to irrigate Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday from 6pm – 8am

·         No watering of hard surfaces

·         Hand held watering via a bucket or watering can is permitted at any time.

Member for Katherine Sandra Nelson said these conservation measures are an important step for the community.

“Katherine’s water use is currently twice the national average and this needs to be reduced by around 20% to ensure water supplies remain sustainable," she said.

“PFAS contamination is a legacy issue that Katherine residents learned about from Defence last year and as a community we have come together to work through the issues. While our water is considered safe under the national Health Based Guidance Values this is an important initiative that gives the community the opportunity to contribute and have some control."