The Lower Hunter’s drinking water storages have continued to drop, despite recent wet weather, causing some concern for supply next summer.
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The region is on the tail end of what is typically the wettest time of year but catchments have been left wanting for meaningful run off.
“The current situation is not a cause for panic, however we would like to see some good rain in our catchments to get dam levels up to a healthier position before what is predicted to be another hot, dry summer,” Hunter Water spokesman Nick Kaiser said.
“It’s important for dams to recharge with the good rainfall and cooler weather typical of this time of year.”
Chichester and Grahamstown dams are at a combined 81 per cent, which is slightly lower than last month.
Chichester dipped to 57 per cent this month, which is the lowest level in 20 years, and has marginally improved in recent days to 61 per cent.
A year ago Chichester was at capacity.
“Our total storage [Chichester and Grahamstown combined] is currently at 81 per cent, which is slightly lower than this time last month, despite the recent damp weather,” Mr Kaiser said.
“This is also 10 per cent lower than in January, a month where we experienced roughly a 10th of our usual monthly rainfall.”
Coastal areas have received the bulk of the rainfall so far this year.
Maitland has received 45mm this month on top of 120mm in March, while parts of Lake Macquarie got more than 200mm in 24 hours on February 28.
“The reason that our dam levels are falling despite the wet weather, which included a downpour in February that brought two month’s rain in 24 hours, is that our catchments have been receiving some drizzle at best,” Mr Kaiser said.
“For rainfall to have a notable impact on dam levels, it needs to rain heavy enough and long enough in the right places.”
Water Wise Rules will come into effect on July 1, detailed in the Lower Hunter Water Plan released this month, and will require people to use a trigger nozzle on garden hoses, to refrain from watering the garden between 10am and 4pm, and not hosing paths and driveways.
If the total water storage fell to 60 per cent, Hunter Water could implement stage one restrictions, which would further limit the use of hoses.
