Lower Hunter water storages have hit a 21-year low as the impact of drought tightens its grip on the region.
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Hunter Water's storages dropped to 65.9 per cent capacity this week. The last time levels fell below this total was in 1998.
Water restrictions will be introduced in the Lower Hunter when storages reach 60 per cent, which at the current rate of water consumption will probably occur in mid-September.
The last time water restrictions were introduced in the Lower Hunter was 1994. The restrictions were in place for several months.
Hunter Water has renewed its call to residents and business to conserve water.
"As the dry conditions persist, we need to do everything we can to preserve our supplies over the months ahead to ensure we start summer in a reasonable position," Hunter Water Chief Investment Officer, Darren Cleary said.
Hunter Water customers have reduced their consumption of potable water over the past decade, but recorded a 5.4 per cent increase last year.
The current average water consumption is about 190 to 200 litres of water per person each day.
This figure compares to Melbourne where customers use approximately 160 litres a day.
"It's really important we work together to save water. By making small, simple changes at home, we all could be using about four buckets of water less per day. Things like reducing our showers to four minutes and ensuring our rainwater tanks are working properly can make a big difference in how much water we use," Mr Cleary said.
Hunter Water is also increasing its active leak detection work throughout the network. This program has achieved a 20 per cent reduction in leakage over two years.
"We are also working with large customers to help them identify water savings while maintaining continuity of operations over the months ahead," Mr Cleary said in May.
Hunter Water began drawing water from the Tomago Sandbeds in May.
"During dry periods, there comes a crucial time when we need to start drawing water from the sandbeds, because if we leave it too long, the water simply won't be there later in a drought," Hunter Water chief investment officer Darren Cleary said.
While Lower Hunter residents are on the verge of having water restrictions imposed on their daily water use, all of the Upper Hunter is on water restrictions.
Residents of Murrurundi have been living under Level 6 water restrictions for more than a year and have been reliant on a lifeline of water tankers and an emergency bore since January.
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- Push to make Newcastle Racecourse a recycled water hub for the city
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- Consumers prepared to pay more for water recycling and conservation projects
- Conservation initiatives have driven down domestic water usage over the past decade
- Water conservation initiatives introduced at the Callaghan campus are paying dividends
- Recycled water is keeping water bills low
- Orica cuts its potable water usage by 90 per cent in less than a decade
- Water regulation not keeping up the demands of industrial users
- The Lower Hunter is now viewed as a piece of an inter-connected water management puzzle
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Matthew Kelly
Matthew Kelly has worked as a journalist for more than 25 years. He has been working as a general reporter at the Newcastle Herald since 2018. In recent years he has reported on subjects including environment, energy, water security, manufacturing and higher education. He has previously covered issues including the health and environmental impacts of uncovered coal wagons in the Hunter Valley, the pollution of legacy of former industrial sites and freedom of information issues.
Matthew Kelly has worked as a journalist for more than 25 years. He has been working as a general reporter at the Newcastle Herald since 2018. In recent years he has reported on subjects including environment, energy, water security, manufacturing and higher education. He has previously covered issues including the health and environmental impacts of uncovered coal wagons in the Hunter Valley, the pollution of legacy of former industrial sites and freedom of information issues.
