STORM2K

Tough water restrictions to be imposed

SYDNEY will be hit with its toughest ever water restrictions after dam levels dropped below 40 per cent capacity.

The NSW government tomorrow is expected to announce unprecedented level-three water restrictions as the drought continues to starve Sydney's water catchments of rain.

Utilities Minister Frank Sartor's office refused to say today what the restrictions would entail.

But his office confirmed they would be the most severe Sydney has faced.

"We haven't had level three before," a spokeswoman for the minister's office said.

The new restrictions are expected to strengthen limits already in place on washing cars, refilling pools and watering gardens.

However, the new water saving regime won't be imposed immediately.

The NSW government wants to conduct a public education campaign advising residents of the new measures, the spokeswoman said.

Mr Sartor last week said the restrictions would be "sensible and reasonable" and would promote water conservation.

Residents in Sydney, the Illawarra and the Blue Mountains have been on level-two water restrictions since June 1 last year, when dam levels were at 46 per cent.

But the situation has worsened and Sydney's total water supply is now just 39.7 per cent of capacity, while the city's biggest dam, Warragamba, is only 36 per cent full.

The current, level-two restrictions ban the washing of cars with hoses and restrict the hosing of gardens to certain days and times.

Sprinklers and watering systems are banned and permits are required to fill pools above 10,000 litres.

Opposition utilities spokesman Andrew Stoner predicted the level-three restrictions would include bans on washing cars and refilling pools with hoses.

Mr Stoner's spokeswoman said there would be further restrictions on hosing gardens, such as reducing the days for watering to twice a week or allowing residents to water on alternate days depending on their street numbers.

She said it was also possible the government would increase the penalties for breaching water restrictions, although Mr Sartor's office would not confirm this.

Businesses say they are willing to share the burden of water restrictions but will need time to prepare for changes.

"What is important is to introduce restrictions in a way that reduces water consumption and at the same time does not cost jobs, nor force businesses to close," Australian Business Limited chief executive Mark Bethwaite said.

"Clearly there are some businesses that are more water-dependent than others, and we have to ensure their survival."

The government is under pressure to do more to secure Sydney's water supply and is considering building a desalination plant which could provide up to 30 per cent of the city's water.

Tougher water restrictions

May 31, 2005

TOUGHER penalties will apply within four weeks for people in Sydney, the Illawarra and Blue Mountains who break water restrictions under strict new measures to preserve water supplies.

NSW Utilities Minister Frank Sartor today outlined level three water restrictions for residents across Sydney and surrounding regions.

Hand-held hosing and drip irrigation will be allowed only on Wednesdays and Sundays before 10am and after 4pm.

No hosing of hard surfaces, including vehicles, will be allowed at any time.

The restrictions also remove some business exemptions, with fines for businesses that breach the rules rising to $550, fines for stealing water to $2,200 and fines for residents maintained at $220.

The changes and fines will be enforced from July 1.

The government introduced the tighter restrictions after Sydney's dam levels dropped below 40 per cent capacity.

Mr Sartor said tighter controls were necessary to preserve water during one of Australia's worst droughts.

"They will essentially be similar to level two except that people can water their garden on two days a week, not three days a week," he told reporters.

"We will also be reviewing some of the exemptions and limiting some of the exemptions further.

"There is much more of a focus on water conservation for business – we want the business community to take their fairer share."

Enforcement could also increase, Mr Sartor said.

"The reason for the fines is to ensure that people that comply aren't discouraged by neighbours who don't comply," he said.

"If necessary we will step up enforcement.

"We have 50 patrol cars and even local council can enforce [the restrictions]."

Mr Sartor also foreshadowed tougher restrictions should Sydney's dam levels drop below 30 per cent.