It has been announced that Stage 1 Water Restrictions will be implemented across Sydney from June 1.
The restrictions come before Warragamba Dam falls below 50% capacity, which is has previously been the trigger for restrictions to begin. As of Monday 27th May 2019, Warragamba Dam was at 54.8% capacity.
It has been a decade since Water Restrictions were enforced in the Greater Sydney area, with Water Wise guidelines in place since.
Stage 1 Water Restrictions mean residents are not allowed to water their lawns between 10am and 4pm, and hosing of hard surfaces (paths, driveways, floors and buildings) is also not allowed, except for Health and Safety reasons. Residents must wash cars with a bucket or a trigger nozzle hose. These water restrictions are basically the ‘Water Wise Guidelines’ but fines will apply for breaches of the restrictions.
In February 2007, Warragamba Dam was only at 32.5% capacity, it’s lowest recorded level. By 2012 the Dam levels had restored to 100% and the spillway was used twice in March and April 2012.
On 27 January 2019, total storage levels in Greater Sydney reached 59.9%. The drop below 60% meant that the Sydney Desalination Plant was notified and entered it’s start-up phase. It is expected to be fully operational within 4 months and will provide 15% of Sydney’s drinking water.
Water NSW has stated that Sydney has at least two years of water supply remaining – even with zero inflows. The Greater Sydney region typically receives an average of 1200mm rainfall annually.
Being conservative with our water is easy and will make a big difference.
