The Lower Hunter is set to face level two water restrictions for the first time since the 1980s.
It comes as the region’s dams fell to their lowest levels in almost 40 years, with Hunter Water’s total water storages dropping to 57.2%.
The Bureau of Meteorology has also forecast another hot and dry summer.
“We have a severe drought that’s affecting our region and most of the state, and the forecast is, unfortunately, for those hot and dry conditions to continue until at least February,” Hunter Water’s Executive Drought Lead, Darren Cleary, says.
“While we hope to receive decent rain soon, we need to be prepared in the event it doesn’t arrive. “This means working together with our community to save as much water as we can.
“Level two water restrictions will start on 20 January 2020 if the hot and dry conditions continue.”
Under the restrictions, outdoor watering is limited to 15 minutes every second day, vehicles and buildings can only be washed with a bucket, and showers are limited to four minutes.
All hoses must have a trigger nozzle, sprinklers cannot be used, and dripping taps and leaking toilets must be repaired as soon as possible.
Other tips to be more water wise include collecting running water from your sink, shower or bath in a bucket to use on the garden; and waiting for a full load before turning on the dishwasher or washing machine.
“Small, simple changes can make a big difference,” Mr Cleary says.
He is hopeful that the restrictions will build on the savings already made by the community.
“Our community has responded incredibly well since we announced the start of water restrictions by using 17% less than what we expected, given the very hot and dry conditions we’ve experienced,” he says.
“This saving amounts to the average water use of 62,000 households in the same period.”
Hunter Water is also progressing on planning approvals for a new Drought Response Desalination Plant at Belmont.
Mr Cleary says this “is our ‘on-the-shelf’ insurance policy if this severe drought continues”.
Go to hunterwater.com.au for more information about water restrictions.
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