Level 2 water restrictions will start in Sydney on 10 December 2019.

Water restrictions will take effect when dam levels in the region reach 45%, which is expected around mid-December 2019. Dam levels are currently close to 46% and continue to drop each week.

More than 85% of Sydney’s water is supplied by captured rainfall. Because of the current drought, dam levels have reached the lowest levels seen since the millennium drought.

Level 2 water restrictions for residents and businesses

Under the new Level 2 water restrictions:

  • gardens can only be watered before 10am or after 4pm with a watering can or bucket
  • smart and drip irrigation systems may only be used for 15 minutes before 10am or after 4pm
  • the use of unattended hoses is no longer permitted
  • hosing of hard surfaces is not permitted, unless in an emergency
  • cars can only be washed with a bucket or at a commercial car wash
  • a permit is required before filling a pool of any size.

Fines of $220 will apply for residents and $550 for businesses who don’t follow the restrictions.

Businesses who use outdoor water will need to apply for an exemption. If a business received a permit under the previous level of restrictions, they’ll need to contact Sydney Water to confirm it’s still valid.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said we would usually expected to have Level 2 water restrictions come into effect when dam levels reach 40%.

“Given the rapid rate of decline of our dam levels we have decided to enact the next level of restrictions sooner than planned,” Ms Berejiklian said. 

“We’re experiencing one of the most severe droughts on record and we expect introducing Level 2 restrictions to save 78.5 gigalitres of water per year.”

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