Residents in the region will be asked to limit their water use to 170 litre per day under the high level restrictions which begin today. The chairwoman of council's water management committee, Daphne McDonald, says inspectors will be enforcing the restrictions and she is urging people to do the right thing.

"It's Target 170 and that is high level water restrictions ... that's how it is called," she said. "So I would advise everyone to just be careful in how they use their water." Queensland Water Commission chief executive John Bradley says those doing the wrong thing can expect to be penalised.

"Fines do apply and fines start at around the $150 mark for a first offence," he said. "Generally we expect that the community will support a return to Target 170." Gold Coast beach showers are exempt and will stay on.

(ABC, 27/10/2008)