Details
Last Updated: Tuesday, 03 October 2023 14:36
Clifton shop owner

Water efficiency requirements now apply to a range of town water uses by businesses. These requirements are either provisions of the Water Supply (Safety and Reliability) Act 2008 or part of the Toowoomba Regional Council water restriction arrangements.

  • All non-residential customers using 10 ML/yr or greater may be required to submit a Water Efficiency Management Plan (WEMP) to Council for approval and report annually on its implementation.
  • All non-residential premises using between 1 and 10 ML/yr are required to meet water efficiency standards for tapware, showers, toilets, urinals, and trigger sprays in commercial kitchens. 
  • Some of these businesses, such as nurseries, turf farms, market gardens, public swimming pools and all premises with cooling towers may need to submit a Water Conservation Plan (WCP).
  • Some helpful hints can be found on the Queensland Government website under managing water use in your business. 
  • Equipment used for the irrigation of any landscaping, gardens or lawns must conform to the requirements of the Efficient irrigation for water conservation guideline which include water-efficient systems and water-efficient sprinklers
  • All watering including hand watering must be in accordance with the prevailing water restriction.
  • Watering of sports fields and school playing fields must be in accordance with the prevailing water restriction and comply with the active playing surface guidelines.
  • Mobile commercial operators using town water in the region are required to register with Toowoomba Regional Council and comply with the appropriate water efficiency guidelines.
  • Other commercial washers, such as washers of large vehicles and car wash facilities must also comply with the appropriate water efficiency guidelines as set by Council.


Related documents

Policy documents

1.01 Strategic Policy
2.01 Policy Framework
2.02 Rate Exemption for Community Organisations Policy
2.03 Water Infrastructure Policy
2.03 Water Infrastructure Policy - Addendum to the Water Supply Code of Australia
2.03 Water Infrastructure Policy - Sub Metering Guidelines & Specifications
2.04 Wastewater Infrastructure Policy
2.04 Wastewater Infrastructure Policy - Addendum to Gravity Sewerage Code of Australia
2.05 Environmental and Regulatory Services Refund Policy
2.06 Naming/Renaming of Council Assets Policy
2.07 Guidelines for Councillors Receiving Customer Requests or Complaints
2.08 Councillor Portfolio System and Protocols
2.09 Acceptable Request Guidelines for Councillors
2.10 Property Tenure Policy
2.11 Community Support Grant Program Guidelines
2.12 Environment Grant Guidelines
2.13 Event Support Grant Program Guidelines
2.14 Sport and Recreation Grant Program Guidelines
2.15 Cultural & Arts Support Grant Program Guidelines
2.16 Arts & Cultural Policy
2.17 Lobbyist Policy
2.18 Giving Gifts, Prizes and Awards Policy
2.19 Symbols of the Toowoomba Regional Council Policy
2.20 Guidelines for the Conduct of Councillor Briefings and Workshops
2.21 Road Network Extensions & Upgrades Policy
2.22 Private Works Policy
2.23 Election Signs Policy
2.24 Caretaker Period Protocol
2.28 Water Charges Concession Policy
2.30 Pensioner Rate Concession Policy
2.31 Procurement Policy
2.32 Temporary Economic Development Incentives for District Townships Policy
2.33 Fraud & Corruption Control Policy
2.34 Waste Collection Services
2.35 Media Policy
2.36 Delegations Register Policy
2.37 Community Economic Development Grant Program Guidelines
2.38 Repair &/or Replacement of Heritage Kerbing &/or Channelling Policy
2.39 Water Charges Concession (Home Haemodialysis) Policy
2.40 Pressure Sewerage Policy
2.41 CBD Heritage Incentives Policy
2.43 Roadside Agistment Policy
2.44 Discounting or Waiver of Council Development Application Fees
2.45 Sports Tourism Event Grant Program Guidelines
2.46 Public Art Policy
2.47 Memorials & Plaques
2.48 Rural & Urban Addressing
2.49 Deferred Payment of Infrastructure Charges Policy
2.50 Temporary Toowoomba CBD Development Incentives Policy
2.51 Non-Current Asset Policy
2.52 Complaint Management Policy
2.53 Expenses Reimbursement and Provision of Facilities - Councillors
2.54 Trade Waste Policy
2.55 Advertising Spending Policy
2.56 Entertainment & Hospitality Policy
2.57 Revenue Policy 2025/26
2.58 Community Engagement Policy
2.59 Community Grants Policy
2.60 Debt Policy 2024/25
2.61 Investment Policy
2.62 Access and Equity Policy
2.63 Related Party Disclosures Policy
2.64 Social Media Policy
2.65 Rates and Charges Hardship Concession Policy
2.66 International Relations Policy
2.67 Exemption Certificates Policy
2.68 Council Controlled Tree Management Policy
2.69 Information, Communication and Technology Policy
2.70 Corporate Performance Management Policy
2.71 Sponsorship Policy
2.72 Investigation Policy - Councillors
2.73 Youth Grant Program Guidelines
2.74 Water Charges Concession for Community Sporting Organisations Policy
2.75 Asset Management Policy
2.76 Insurance and Indemnity for Councillors and Employees Policy
2.77 Temporary Economic Development Incentives for Intensive Horticulture Policy
2.78 Better Protection for Employees Policy
2.79 Floral Parade Entrant Grant Program Guidelines
2.80 Temporary Economic Development Incentives for Non-Residential Development Policy
2.81 Deferral of Infrastructure Charges for Public Benevolent Institutions (PBI), Health Promotion Charities (HPC) and Community Uses
2.82 Environment Policy
2.83 Micro Grant Program Guidelines
2.84 Temporary Economic Incentives for Medium Density Residential Development Policy
2.85 Derivative Policy
2.86 Enterprise Risk Management Policy
2.87 Cemetery Management Policy
2.88 Complaint Management - Chief Executive Officer Policy
4.07 Firearms Manual
4.07 Firearms Policy
4.18 CCTV Program Policy
4.41 Controlled Entities and Beneficial Enterprises - A Governance Framework
4.42 Granting of Credit Policy
4.43 Active Transport Policy
5.04 Classification Review Procedure
5.08 Public Interest Disclosure Procedure
5.31 Sponsorship Procedure
6.05 Water & Waste Services Group Quality Policy
7.25 Rates and Charges Collection Procedure
7.26 Library Internet Use Procedure
7.27 Local History – Collection Development Standard
7.40 Cemetery Management Procedure
Best practice standing orders for local government and standing committee meetings
Gifts and Benefits Register
Infrastructure Services Group Integrated Management System Policy Statement
Public Interest Disclosure Management Program
Toowoomba Financial Sustainability Strategy 2024-25
Workplace Health and Safety Policy Statement