Water restrictions to hit Sydney for the first time in a decade as drought comes to city

Sydney residents will be hit with water restrictions, starting this weekend, with the severe lack of rain and falling dam levels to blame.

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For the first time in a decade, Sydney residents will be hit with water restrictions, starting on Saturday, as the drought comes to the city.

Falling dam levels and a severe lack of rain have forced the state government to introduce stage one restrictions to save water.

This means all hoses have to be fitted with trigger nozzles, while watering lawns and gardens will be limited to times outside 10am to 4pm.

Warragamba Dam. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Hosing on hard surfaces such as paths and driveways is banned but washing cars is still allowed for now.

The decision was made at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

Water Minister Melinda Pavey said it was vital to take “early and decisive action” with Sydney seeing some of the lowest inflows into dams since the 1940s.

“The Bureau of Meteorology’s latest forecast is predicting below-average rainfall and higher temperatures for June to August, which are key drivers of stronger water demand,” she said. “Water restrictions are an important drought response because they target the outdoor water use of all households.

“Regional NSW has been experiencing a record drought. Water restrictions in Sydney mean that households across NSW are doing their bit to conserve water.”

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The water restrictions are enforceable and fines apply for breaches.

Ms Pavey said exemptions will be available for users who need to use outdoor water for their businesses.

Dam levels usually have to fall below 50 per cent to trigger stage one restrictions, however the government has acted early to tackle the situation before dam levels drop further.

Total storage for all dams is currently sitting at 53.5 per cent after dipping 0.5 per cent in the last week. The last time Sydney had such water restrictions in place was in 2009.

Water restrictions will be enforced in Sydney this weekend.

Sydney’s $2.3 billion desalination plant at Kurnell was turned on in January after dam levels dropped below 60 per cent capacity.

The plant can supply up to 15 per cent of the city’s water at full capacity.

Infrastructure and services peak association Open Cities Alliance called for more water recycling rather than relying water restrictions.

Chief executive Lisa McLean said recycling should be a requirement for all new buildings and homes.

“Sydney will still flush away the equivalent of 1.8 Sydney Harbours of wastewater every year — while Western Sydney dries up and faces 50-degree days,” Ms McLean said.

“Recycled water is a cheap and secure local water supply that can be used for up to 70 per cent of daily needs.”

Kurnell Desalination Plant. Photo Jeremy Piper

The desalinator, which was last used in 2012, will supply up to 15 per cent of the city’s water, which is otherwise dependent on rainfall.

A Sydney Water spokesman said they were unable to comment.

Many areas in regional NSW are already on heavy water restrictions including Inverell, Tenterfield, Orange and Dubbo.