Get set for level three water restrictions from Monday (November 25).
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Port Macquarie-Hastings Council has brought forward level three water restrictions in response to intense drought and the likelihood of ongoing fires.
Water use has increased with the recent fires across the area.
Jake Wadsworth told the November 20 council meeting there were good reasons to implement level three water restrictions early.
He said so much had happened in the last three weeks and called for councillors to implement tighter water restrictions as soon as possible.
"A litre which is saved today is a litre for tomorrow," Mr Wadsworth said.
Deputy mayor Lisa Intemann said the council was very mindful of the precarious position the area and many other places were in regarding precious water.
She said there were some enormously innovative ways people could save water.
Under level three water restrictions, if your house number is an even number, you can water on even dates and if your house in an odd number, you can water on odd dates, according to the guidelines.
- Residential outside water use is banned on the 31st of the month.
- Handheld hoses, fitted with a water cut-off trigger or control nozzle, can be used for up to 10 minutes before 9am or after 4pm.
- Watering cans, buckets and tank water can be used at any time, while car or boat washing is allowed on lawn areas by bucket only at any time.
- Boat motor flushing is permitted on a lawn area for five minutes only at any time.
- Topping up of pools and spas with handheld hoses is only allowed before 9am or after 4pm.
- Cleaning driveways, paths and hardstand areas is only permitted for health and safety reasons.
Level three restrictions have implications for public areas and commercial and industrial use too.
A report to the council meeting said with limited rainfall on the horizon, the council would reach the 45 per cent total combined storage trigger point for level three water restrictions in late December, based on current demand and predictions.
Council director Dan Bylsma said that Council want to continue to be proactive during this intense drought period without alarming the community.
"We do however all need to think more seriously about how we use water, and be proud of our conscious efforts in reducing consumption," said Mr Bylsma.
"If each and every one of us makes small behavioural changes it will go long way to helping our dam storage supplies last longer.
"Like many other council's and water authorities throughout the state, our water storage levels are low, and with the long term forecast showing little signs of consistent rainfall these restrictions are necessary," explained Mr Bylsma.
"The recent bushfires in our area have also put a further strain on our water supply as both residents and fire authorities have utilised water from our network for firefighting purposes."
The early introduction of level three water restrictions is an effort to further reduce overall demand and extend the water availability from the current limited water storage.
"The forecast for hotter than average and drier than average conditions for the remainder of 2019 places additional demand on our water supply," the council report said.
These conditions also increase the risk of bushfires.
The region's population will also swell over the holiday season, placing extra pressure on the water supply.
To find out more about Level 3 'very high' water restrictions visit pmhc.nsw.gov.au/water
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