The Port Macquarie-Hastings Council has downgraded water restrictions from level four to level three on Thursday, March 5.
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Restrictions have been downgraded to level three after the Total Combined Storage (TCS) of local dams increased above 48 per cent.
However, a spokesperson from council said residents still need to continue to manage overall demand, and extend limited water storage levels.
Level three 'very high' water restrictions will be in place until water storage dams reach 60 per cent total combined storage.
Council director Dan Bylsma said that the overall community response to water restrictions has been extremely positive.
"What is really encouraging is that over the summer period there has been a 16 per cent reduction in total water demand compared to the same time period last year when there were no water restrictions in place," said Mr Bylsma.
"Residents and businesses have been taking obvious steps to 'reduce our use', and while we are easing water restrictions back to level three, with uncertainty around forecast rain we do need to remain conscious of how we use water and continue our efforts in reducing consumption.
"Over the last few months our team has also been working closely with business and commercial users to implement longer-term water savings action plans, and we're really grateful for the way this has been embraced."
Recent rainfall and above average rainfall for the start of February 2020 has improved the region's immediate water security situation.
However, there's still an uncertain rainfall outlook ahead, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
While conditions permit, council will pump from the Hastings River to increase the water storage levels.
Some of the restrictions in place under level three 'very high' residential water restrictions include:
- Hand-held hoses can be used for up to 10 minutes only before 9am or after 4pm on odd or even days matching your house number
- Sprinklers and unattended hoses, micro-spays and drip irrigation systems are not permitted
- Cars and boats are to be washed on gravel or grass only, before 9am or after 4pm on the house's allocated day
- Cleaning windows, walls, roofs and gutters is not permitted
- Recycled water and greywater can continue to be used at any time
For more information, please visit https://www.pmhc.nsw.gov.au/Services/Water/Level-3-water-restrictions
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