How are water restrictions decided?

Water restrictions are determined in the Drought and Emergency Response Management Plan (DERMP), which has been developed for the Upper Hunter Water Utilities Alliance (UHWUA) consisting of Singleton Council, Muswellbrook Shire Council and Upper Hunter Shire Council.

Water restrictions are an effective and low-cost strategy for responding to drought. Water restrictions aim to reduce water demand of Council’s customers through regulating the type and duration of water-using activities. Triggers for water restrictions are determined by levels in the two major storage dams.

What are the different water restriction levels?

Level 1 Water Restrictions

Level 1 water restrictions are triggered at 50% storage availability and include:

• No washing down walls or paved surfaces
• Washing cars with bucket and rinse with trigger hose on lawn only
• Topping up private and public swimming pools/spas only permitted between 5am-7am and 4pm-6pm
• First fill of private and public swimming pools/spas only with council permission
• Large water (>10ML/year) users must prepare a Water Efficiency Management Plan (WEMP). A template is available in appendix C of the DERMP.

Level 2 Water Restrictions

Level 2 water restrictions are triggered at 40% storage availability and include:

• All restrictions listed at Level 1 unless otherwise stated below
• Watering of lawns not permitted for residential, and non-residential
• Large water users must implement their WEMP
• All non-residential business (>5ML/year) must prepare WEMP
• Hosing of vehicles, boats or building not permitted

Level 3 Water Restrictions

Level 3 water restrictions are triggered at 30% storage availability and include:

• All restrictions listed at Level 1 and 2 unless otherwise stated below
• No filling of private swimming pools or spas or garden water features, including first fill
• No washing of vehicles, boats or buildings permitted
• Inflatable or temporary children’s pools not permitted
• Public car and truck wash facilities not permitted
• All non-residential business’s (>5ML/year) must implement their WEMP

For more information, consult the DERMP below or contact us.