Dry conditions force TasWater to consider water restrictions ahead of predicted drier and warmer than average summer

Tasmanians could face restrictions on water usage with a hotter and drier than usual summer period ahead.

WATER restrictions could soon be enforced as the Greater Hobart region experiences a 10 per cent increase in usage since last year.

TasWater is currently assessing demand in the South along with other pressures on the system, including below average rainfall in associated catchments.

FARMERS’ WATER SUPPLIES UNDER PRESSURE

TasWater has not yet introduced water restrictions in Hobart, but a spokesman confirmed low-level restrictions were being considered.

“TasWater continually monitors supply and demand on all our systems across the state,” the spokesman said.

“Our engineers and scientists use this information to develop contingency plans for times of high demand and to identify ways to augment supplies across our network when needed.”

The spokesman said as well as residential customers, other users of water included Irrigation Tasmania and the Tasmania Fire Service.

“We encourage the community to continue to consider their water use,” he said

“We are committed to maintaining a safe a secure drinking water supply for our customers, working with stakeholders to ensure our farmers have the water they need and to make sure there is plenty of water if it is needed in the case of fire.”

Ella Good, 8 months, of Turners Beach, enjoys a day out at the beach at Devonport. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

The consideration comes as the Bureau of Meteorology's 2019/20 Summer Outlook revealed drier than average conditions were highly likely for most of the state across the season.

Several months of above-average rainfall would be needed to see a recovery from current long-term rainfall shortfalls.

Daytime temperatures for summer are also very likely to be warmer than average across the board, except for in western Tasmania.

Bureau long-range forecasting manager Andrew Watkins said the exception was due to a negative phase of the Southern Annular Mode (SAM), which is expected to continue until at least late December.

“A negative SAM basically describes a movement of our weather systems further north than normal, and that’s going to bring more westerly winds, cooler conditions and also a bit more rainfall into Western Tasmania over December and possibly into January,” he said.

There is no significant push towards cooler or warmer than average nights in the state.

Dr Watkins said the outlook was an important reminder for communities to be alert to the potential severe weather risks over the coming months.

For more information on Australia’s severe weather risks visit bom.gov.au/knowyourweather

Stay up to date with all the latest weather warnings on the Bureau website.