From October 1, the Dubbo local government area will move to level three water restrictions.
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The daily goal is for 295 litres per person to be used.
Dubbo Regional Council made the decision last month due to the worsening drought conditions.
Council chief executive officer Michael McMahon described it as an "unprecedented" time for Dubbo Regional Council.
What you can do under level three restrictions:
- Water your lawn or garden using a drip system, soaker hose or hand held hose with a trigger nozzle between 6am and 9am or 6pm and 9pm every second day. If your house is an even number, you can water on even days. If it's an odd number, you can water on odd days.
- Top up or fill your water features
- Irrigate new turf for one week after it has been laid.
- Top up your swimming pool between 7am or 9am and 6 and 8pm everyday, as long as a pool cover is used.
- Fill a new swimming pool or spa after seeking permission from council.
- Wash your car on the lawn with a bucket between 9am and 12pm any day.
What is not permitted under level three restrictions:
- Watering the lawn or garden with watering systems or non-fixed sprinklers.
- Washing down walls or paved surfaces.
What happens if I don't follow the rules?
Council staff will be monitoring the LGA to ensure the restriction rules are being followed. For those who are found to breach the restrictions, on the spot fines of $220 can be issued.
What does it mean for businesses?
Businesses such as hospitals, schools and nurseries are among those who will need to prepare a Water Saving Action Plan (WSAP). The plan will outline efficiencies businesses will put into place to reduce their water use.
The businesses will need to set a water saving target for the next three years.
A breakdown of their water usage - with everything from toilets to the watering of gardens - will need to be included in the WSAP.
Will free water still be supplied to rural residents?
Council has decide to end the drought relief program that allowed rural residents to get free water via the standpipes.
The program has been in place since July 2018 and has provided more than 2.8 million litres of water to residents.
"This has helped many of our rural residents get through this trying time," council CEO Michael McMahon said.
"Unfortunately there comes a time when we have to increase measures in the effort to secure the water supply for the entire Dubbo region."
When will we go to level four restrictions?
From November 1, the LGA will move into 'very high' restrictions. The goal will be for every person to cut back under 50 litres per day.
Lawns cannot be watered under level four restrictions and new turf cannot be irrigated.
Showers will also be restricted to five minutes.
Orlander Ruming
Deputy editor at the Daily Liberal, covering council, politics, human interest stories, community news and everything in between.
Deputy editor at the Daily Liberal, covering council, politics, human interest stories, community news and everything in between.
