While we in the Hunter have largely been spared the worst of the fires, business operators are still feeling the ramifications. Visitors are staying away from tourist areas for fear of fire, deliveries of goods have slowed because of blocked or congested transport routes, and many business owners and their employees are among those on the frontline as RFS volunteers. This is happening after a period of sustained dry weather. An incredible 99.7 per cent of the Hunter region is classified as being in drought - almost 94 per cent of which is in the 'intense drought' category.

The onset of Level 2 water restrictions across the Hunter Water catchment area from January 20 will bring more challenges for business and the community. But it also brings an opportunity for businesses to reassess their water use, implement measures that will help them contribute to the wider community's water conservation efforts - and perhaps save a few dollars on their water bills.

Under Level 2 water restrictions, all businesses will be encouraged to prepare Water Efficiency Management Plans (WEMPs) although only the approximately 180 largest water users (businesses using more than 10 megalitres per year) are expected to implement them at this stage.

For a small business owner, preparing a WEMP need not be an onerous task. Hunter Water has templates online and many of the measures require only simple behavioural changes. Businesses are also asked to consider replacing fixtures and appliances that are not water-efficient.

Businesses can make a significant contribution to reducing water use. Many are already leading the way. Port Waratah Coal Services, one of the region's major individual users, uses 85 per cent recycled water in its operations, capturing and reusing more than five litres of water for every one litre of potable water it buys. Morisset Hospital, the Love Water Love Business Award winner at the 2019 Hunter Business Awards, achieved annual savings of 48 million litres - and $140,000 a year off their bill - by replacing a faulty tank float valve and fixing an underground pipe leak.

Islington's Pride Dry Cleaning has halved its daily water use by replacing appliances with more water-efficient options and recycling the water used to cool its dry cleaning machines for use in washing, toilets and sinks. Owner Jennie Lyons is now targeting further measures to cut use by another 30 per cent, which could save the equivalent of about a third of an Olympic swimming pool in water each year.

For more information visit hunterwater.com.au