Level 2 water restrictions will be introduced across the Lower Hunter as dam levels continue to fall.
Under Level 2 restrictions, showers are limited to 4 minutes in length, outdoor watering is limited to 15 minutes every second day and vehicles and buildings can only be washed with a bucket.
The region has reduced its water usage by 17% since Level 1 restrictions came into force in September but it's not enough to compete with hot and dry conditions forecast to continue until the end of summer.
According to State Water Minister Melinda Pavey the Lower Hunter's dams are declining at a rate of roughly one per cent each week.
Hunter Water reports water storage levels have now reached 57.9%, the lowest they've been since July 1980.
The corporation's Executive Drought Lead Darren Cleary said he's hopeful further restrictions would build on the significant savings made since September.
“We’ve been working closely with our large business customers who use more than 10 million litres of water a year to develop Water Efficiency Management Plans. This will soon be expanded to our smaller business customers as they start preparing their own plans," Mr Cleary said.
“Thank you to everyone in our community for playing their part to save water, because your efforts are helping make a difference.”
Level 2 water restrictions will commence across the Lower Hunter from January 20, 2020.
More information on Level 2 water restrictions can be found at Hunter Water's website.
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| Image: Hunter Water |
