The Hunter’s water storage has gone from almost full to its lowest point in almost 12 years in the space of just six months as dry conditions continue to parch the region.
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Across the four storage dams – Chichester, Grahamstown, Tomago and Anna Bay – the total storage level sat at 72.5 per cent full on Tuesday, the lowest point since June 2006 when it dipped to 67 per cent.
A prolonged lack of rainfall over summer and spring has caused the level to consistently drop, with the smallest dam Chichester now down to just over half full.
Hunter Water’s records show the dams have only reached this level 10 times in the past 40 years.
But Hunter Water advised the situation was not too much cause for concern. In February last year, the dams reached a similar level (75 per cent) but were boosted by significant rainfall across autumn and winter.
“We are monitoring the current dam levels closely,” a Hunter Water spokesperson said.
“Based on the Bureau of Meteorology’s climate outlook for the coming months, we can expect slightly above average rainfall.
“However, we are preparing should that rainfall not arrive and encourage all of our customers to be conscious of saving water around their homes and businesses also.
“We all have a role to play in protecting our precious resource.”
If the storage level continues to decrease, water restrictions will be introduced once the dams reach 60 per cent capacity.
The first stage involves a ban on sprinkler usage and further restrictions are introduced at 50, 40 and 30 per cent.
But despite not being at restriction level yet, the hot, dry conditions have already taken a toll on the water system.
Some Maitland residents have recently experienced discolouration of their tap water as a result of increased demand on the system and slightly elevated levels of the mineral Manganese at Chichester Dam caused by seasonal variations.
However Hunter Water advised both factors these were generally aesthetic, rather than health issues.
Hunter Water encourages residents to use common sense to help conserve water, by doing things such as avoiding the use of sprinklers, irrigation systems and hoses during the heat of the day, using a trigger nozzle for all hand-held hoses and not hosing hard surfaces such as driveways.
