Maitland and Lower Hunter residents will begin water restrictions next month.
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This is the first time in more than two decades that the region has required the restrictions.
At Level 1, water restrictions apply to outdoor use.
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According to Hunter Water, reducing our water consumption now will help us save water for our future supply.
When it comes to saving water, a little goes a long way.
Level 1 water restrictions will apply in Cessnock, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Newcastle, Port Stephens, Dungog and small parts of Singleton.
Level 1 water restrictions for homes and businesses:
- Outdoor watering before 10am or after 4pm with a trigger nozzle.
- All hoses must have a trigger nozzle
- No hosing of hard surfaces such as concrete, paths and driveways
- Wash your vehicle on the grass using a trigger nozzle
- No sprinklers.
What's Excluded From Water Restrictions?
There are basic exclusions from restrictions activity:
- Recycled Water
- Greywater (water from sinks, showers, washing machines etc.)
- Rainwater (provided the tank/dam is not topped from, or switched to, the drinking water supply)
- Bore water
- Water used for firefighting, testing and related activities.
Watering lawns and gardens
You can:
- To avoid the heat of the day, water lawns and gardens by hand held hose before 10am and after 4pm if fitted with a trigger nozzle or device that can be turned off instantly
- Use drip irrigation systems before 10am and after 4pm
You can't:
- Use sprinklers at any time
- Leave hoses or taps running unattended
Cleaning external hard surfaces (paths, driveways & concrete)
You can
- Spot clean for safety, health or emergency reasons with a hose fitted with trigger nozzle or with high pressure cleaning equipment
You can't
- Use a hose for general cleaning of hard surfaces such as paths, driveways and paved areas
- Leave hoses and taps running unattended
Washing vehicles, boats and buildings
You can
- Wash vehicles, boats & buildings if using a bucket, high pressure cleaning equipment or a hose fitted with a trigger nozzle
Tip: wash your car on your lawn and your grass will benefit
You can't
- Wash vehicles, boats and buildings using a hose without a trigger nozzle
Filling private pools and spas
You can
- Top up existing pools if using a trigger nozzle or device that can be turned off instantly
- Fill a new or renovated pool or spa over 10,000 litres capacity by obtaining a permit and using an approved pool cover
You can't
- Top up an existing pool without using a hose fitted with a trigger nozzle or device that can be turned off instantly
- Leave an unattended hose running in a pool
- Fill a new or renovated pool or spa over 10,000 litres capacity unless you have a permit and an approved pool cover
Internal use
You can
- Help water saving efforts by repairing internal leaks as quickly as possible, such as dripping taps or leaking toilets
Tip: Fixing a leaking toilet can save you between 10 to 260 litres a day.