SURAT residents should brace for new water restrictions after Maranoa Council passed a resolution at its Wednesday meeting, the first for 2013.

The town currently has timed water restrictions, but people can water every day.

However that will change under the new regulations.

Surat will be divided into two districts - east and west with different daily restrictions applying to each.

On Mondays both east and west districts can water. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, west only will be able to water. While on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays it will be the turn of east to water .

Council hopes this will reduce consumption and also improve raw water pressure.

Council documents said the existing arrangements cause low pressure on hot days when demand from residents was high.

"Officers understand a number of Surat residents believe that the Raw Water Scheme (supplied free of charge due to the special tariff $2kl for treated water) is an unmetered resource," the document said.

"This is incorrect.

"It forms part of the registered combined (raw/treated extraction) allocation of 715ml per year."

Council manager of utilities Troy Pettiford said residents had noticed contractors taking water direct from the river and said they would investigate to see if these contractors are licensed.

These actions can potentially affect weir reserve projections.

Water restrictions

Surat will be divided into two districts - east and west with different daily restrictions applying to each;

Mondays both east and west districts can water;

Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, west only will be able to water;

Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays it will be the turn of east to water.