Drought-hit Australia puts squeeze on water wasters

[WhiteTara]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20061229/sc_afp/australiaenvironmentwaterdrought
SYDNEY (AFP) - Australian authorities have warned they will punish people caught wasting water by dramatically cutting their access to the precious resource amid the worst drought in a century.

The tough new measure targets householders in the drought-ravaged southeastern state of Victoria, where strict water restrictions are already in place to conserve dwindling supplies.

Poor rainfall has left the nation's dams depleted, forcing many cities to ration their water supplies by limiting the use of water for washing cars and watering lawns.

From January 1, Victorian officials will be able to reduce water pressure to homes whose occupants continue to breach restrictions after three warnings.

Victorian water utility South East Water said repeat offenders would have their supply limited to two litres (four pints) a minute down from 40 litres a minute for two days, a reduction likely to prevent the use of showers.

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the first of what I predict will be many stories like this one.