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That was the claim of Tomakin resident Judy Baghurst, who this week challenged council to visit Denhams Beach and measure how much water goes to waste on its shore.

“I find it very confusing that Eurobodalla Shire Council advocates ways that we as ratepayers can save water - even going so far as to give away rebates on a variety of appliances including washing machines and water tanks - yet they refuse to remove beach showers, and continue to allow people to hose down their boats and cars at various boat ramps,” Ms Baghurst said.

“Get rid of the showers on the beaches, they’re unnecessary. We’re in the worst drought in 90 years and it’s just ridiculous that council refuses to lead by example.”

Ms Baghurst wants council to immediately turn off all showers and taps at beaches and public ramps.

“Council seems to think that if people can’t have showers on the beach, then the tourists won’t come. However, I honestly believe that banning smoking will alienate more people than a lack of showers will,” she said.

“Besides, generally speaking people go home and have a hot shower after they’ve been at the beach, do they really need to shower twice?”

Ms Baghurst said a council employee told her that all showers and taps would be automatically turned off when restrictions reached Level Three.

“But why wait?” she asked. “They say we will reach Level Two restrictions within months, why doesn’t council do something before we reach crisis point?”

Pointing at the $200 rebate offered by council to residents who purchase front loading washing machines, and the fact that council insists on grey water tanks being installed in all new homes, Ms Baghurst wants to know why ratepayers appear to bear the brunt of the responsibility for saving water.

However, council’s roads and recreation director Warren Sharpe says taps near boat ramps and on fishing tables and showers on beaches are a service to the public.