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Get tougher with water restrictions

THE impact of the drought which has been devastating rural NSW towns and communities is coming to the city, with Level 2 water restrictions to come into effect from December 10.

Every drop counts

Under the restrictions, buckets and watering cans will have to be used to water gardens in the morning or evening.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Water, Melinda Pavey, announced the tougher water restrictions which are expected to save 78.5 gigalitres of water a year.
“We’re experiencing one of the most severe droughts on record,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“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.
“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.”
Under Level 2 water restrictions, gardens can also only be watered before 10am and after 4pm using smart and drip irrigation systems for 15 minutes; 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 the hose on a trigger nozzle.
Ms Pavey says the Bureau of Meteorology has predicted another hot summer ahead with on-going dry conditions.
“Businesses who rely upon outdoor water use as part of their operations need to get an exemption,” Ms Pavey said.
Fines will still apply for breaches, with $220 for residential breaches and $550 for businesses. Details: lovewater.sydney/restrictions.