Sydney water restrictions set to hit Level 2 in December

Level 2 water restrictions will begin in Sydney, the Blue Mountains and Illawarra in three weeks, the harshest in nearly a decade, further limiting water use on gardens, washing cars and filling up pools.

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SYDNEY, the Blue Mountains and the Illawarra will be upgraded to stricter Level 2 water restrictions in just three weeks as the state battles drought and dam levels plunge.

The NSW government last night revealed it was changing the rules so Sydney would enter level two restrictions when dam storage levels hit 45 per cent. The trigger had previously been 40 per cent.

The tougher restrictions will mean people must only use a bucket to water their gardens or wash their cars, while pools and spas can only be topped up for 15 minutes each day.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said Level 2 restrictions would begin on December 10, regardless of dam levels, to provide certainty.

Dam levels are currently close to 46 per cent and continue to drop.

Warragamba Dam: Stage one water restrictions were introduced from June 1 for the first time in a decade as dam levels drop faster than expected. Picture: AAP

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“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 Two 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.

Dam levels have reached the lowest levels seen since the Millennium drought.

Level One water restrictions began in June this year.

Individuals will continue to face $220 fines and businesses $550 if they are found to be breaking the rules under Level 2.

Amber Murphy, 12, and Ella Stearn, 12, at home, in Rose Bay. The family are happy to comply with new water restrictions to help the drought effort. Picture: Justin Lloyd

NSW Water Minister Melinda Pavey said businesses needed to contact Sydney Water about permits.

“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.”

Rose Bay mum Liza Stearn said the water restrictions would require some changes but her family was happy to oblige.

“It’s going to be hard but it’s the price we are willing to pay to help with drought. There are people suffering a lot more than us,” she said.

Ms Stearn and her children Ella, 12, and Lochie, 8, do what they can to conserve water.

“We are quick in the shower, and jump in the bath together, turn the tap off when we brush our teeth, little things like that. The kids are quite informed on the drought. Their schools just ran a cake stall to raise money for the families in the fire affected areas,” she said.

“The restrictions will affect us in we will need to make a change in how we live because normally we wash our cars and use the sprinkler but our hearts go out to the farmers and we will do what we can to help.”

For up-to-date information on water restrictions, visit lovewater.sydney/restrictions

Originally published as Sydney water restrictions set to hit Level 2 in December