Further water restrictions to come into force as dam levels continue to fall

THE Illawarra will have Level 2 water restrictions next month with dam levels expected to reach 45 per cent around mid-December.

The NSW Government have announced the restrictions will be in place from December 10.

Under the new Level 2 water restrictions people will be required to use a bucket or watering can to water their gardens between approved times, cars can only be washed with a bucket or taken to a commercial car wash and topping up of pools and spas is limited to 15 minutes a day with a trigger nozzle.

Under the new Level 2 water restrictions:

• gardens can only be watered before 10am or after 4pm with a watering can or bucket
• smart and drip irrigation systems may only be used for 15 minutes before 10am or after 4pm
• the use of unattended hoses is no longer permitted
• hosing of hard surfaces is not permitted, unless in an emergency
• cars can only be washed with a bucket or at a commercial car wash
• a permit is required before filling a pool of any size.

Fines of $220 will apply for residents and $550 for businesses who don’t follow the restrictions.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said dam levels are currently close to 46 per cent and continue to drop every week.

“Usually, we would expect to have Level 2 water restrictions come into effect when dam levels reached 40 per cent. But given the rapid rate of decline of our dam levels we have decided to enact the next level of restrictions sooner than planned,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“We’re experiencing one of the most severe droughts on record and we expect introducing Level 2 restrictions to save 78.5 gigalitres of water per year.

“We all need to do our bit to ensure we are using water wisely and these restrictions will help secure water for Sydney, Blue Mountains and Illawarra.”

More than 85 per cent of Greater Sydney’s water is supplied by captured rainfall and because of the current drought dam levels have reached the lowest levels seen since the Millennium drought.

NSW Minister for Water Melinda Pavey said the Bureau of Meteorology has predicted another hot summer ahead with on-going dry conditions.

“We’re doing the work to save as much drinking water as we can to ensure there is enough if the drought persists,” Ms Pavey said.

“Businesses who rely upon outdoor water use as part of their operations need to get an exemption.

If a business applied for and received a permit under the previous level of restrictions, they’ll need to contact Sydney Water to confirm it’s still valid.”

For up-to-date information on Level 2 restrictions visit lovewater.sydney/restrictions(external link)