Major fines threatened in parched Qld town

Residents of a small central Queensland town that's run dry face huge fines if they're busted using "excessive" amounts of water.

Dysart residents are also being urged to answer the call of nature in portable loos because it saves nine litres of water per flush.

Isaac Regional Council says water levels in the mining town remain critical and residents have been ordered to restrict themselves to "absolutely essential use".

If they don't, they could wind up a lot poorer.

Outdoor water use of any kind has been banned.

Residents face on-the-spot fines of up to $2400 for washing their cars, watering the lawn or using sprinklers. For businesses the fines could be up to $19,920.

If excessive use sparks action in the courts, residents could ultimately be fined up to $24,000 and businesses up to $199,800.

"Water must only be used for drinking, showering and toileting," council said in a statement on Thursday.

"There must be no outside use except to water livestock."

Dysart ran out of water early on Wednesday after its water treatment plant failed.

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Major fines threatened in parched Qld town