oddlight

New permanent water restrictions
for NSW

THE NSW Government will today announce new permanent water restrictions designed to conserve the state's reserves for decades.

The long-term water saving measures will underpin the current regime of restrictions temporarily brought in during times of drought. The measures would be less severe than the level three restrictions now in effect. They will remain in place even if the drought breaks.

The spokesman said the rules would include banning daytime use of sprinklers and irrigation systems and permits for hosing down driveways and filling new swimming pools.

Residents across Sydney, the Illawarra and the Blue Mountains are now only allowed to hose lawns and gardens and operate drip irrigation on Wednesdays and Sundays before 10am and after 4pm.

No other watering systems or sprinklers are to be used at any time.

Dam levels across Sydney, the Illawarra and the Blue Mountains stand at 59.1 per cent, up 0.2 per cent on last week. Since mandatory water restrictions came into force four years ago, water use has dropped by more than 13 per cent.

Water consumption has fallen from 500 litres per capita a day in 1991 to about 340 litres. Greater Sydney is using the same amount of water now as in 1974, despite an extra 1 million residents.

In April less water was used than in any month over the past eight years. "If we are in a position to ease water restrictions, which looks likely given all the good rain we've had, these rules will remain."

Level 3 restrictions

■ Hosing of lawns and gardens and drip irrigation allowed only on Wednesdays and Sundays before 10am and after 4 pm.

■ No other watering systems or sprinklers are to be used.

■ A permit from Sydney Water is required to fill new or renovated pools bigger than 10,000 litres.

■ No hosing of hard surfaces, including vehicles, at any time.

■ No hoses or taps to be left running unattended, except when filling pools or containers.