Oh, what a waste of water!

By Callan Date
MERV Ginger is no Wally when it comes to water.
But the Berwick resident has looked on helplessly for the past five weeks as water has poured down his Kimbarra Drive gutter and down the drain.
Adding to Mr Ginger’s frustration is the response he said he has received from water company officials when he first complained about the water wastage.
He said he reported the issue three weeks ago but the precious resource still continued to go to waste as late as this week.
“It’s just ridiculous the amount of water that is going down the drain,” Mr Ginger said.
“ It would be gallons and gallons of water and it has been going on for about five weeks.
“I’m not sure where it is coming from, but it needs to be stopped.”
Mr Ginger said a South East Water official inspected his street two weeks ago but failed to stop the water flow.
South East Water media adviser Luke Enright said the company, after an inquiry from the News, had finally stopped the leak.
“We have repaired the pipe today (Tuesday) to stop the water loss and are trying to determine who is responsible for the pipe,” he said.
Mr Enright said South East Water had concluded that the leak is not from a mains water supply but they would continue to investigate the exact source.
“We are always concerned about water wastage in light of the current water restrictions,” Mr Enright said.
However, Mr Ginger believes it should have been stopped weeks ago when he first reported the problem.
He said he struggled to understand why so much water was going to waste when he, along with the rest of Casey’s residents, was not allowed to water his lawn.
“If they catch you breaking the restrictions you can get a fine,” Mr Ginger said.
Mr Ginger’s complaint comes as local residents prepare for the potential introduction of harsher stage three water restrictions in 2007.
Melbourne is currently under stage two restrictions – measures implemented by the State Government to protect the state’s dwindling water supply.
Mr Enright encouraged anyone who is aware of other areas where water is going to waste to contact the special 13 WATER (139 2837) hotline.