Water restrictions in Australia

Last updated

Level 5 water restrictions in Goulburn in 2006. Goulburn water restrictions.jpg
Level 5 water restrictions in Goulburn in 2006.
Pejar dam, the water supply for Goulburn in November 2005 PejarDam14November2005.JPG
Pejar dam, the water supply for Goulburn in November 2005

Water restrictions have been enacted in many cities and regions in Australia, which is the Earth's driest inhabited continent, [1] in response to chronic water shortages resulting from the widespread drought. Depending upon the location, these can include restrictions on watering lawns, using sprinkler systems, washing vehicles, hosing pavement, refilling swimming pools, etc. Overpopulation, evidence of drying climates, coupled with corresponding reductions in the supply of drinking water has led various state governments to consider alternative water sources to supplement existing sources, and to implement "water inspectors" who can issue penalties to those who waste water. Many states describe the different levels of water restrictions in terms of "stages": starting at Stage 1, for the least restrictive, going up as far as Stage 8. The highest level reached in the current drought has been stage 7 for Kingaroy. There are different definitions given to each "stage" in different states.

Contents

Water restrictions by state or territory

Australian Capital Territory

There are presently four stages of temporary water restrictions which can be imposed by ACTEW Corporation: [2]

Stage 1Stage 2Stage 3Stage 4
Sprinklers and irrigation:Any day, after 6pm & before 9amDrippers only, 7–10am & 7–10pmNo reticulation
Hand-watering gardens and lawns:No restrictionsAlternate days, 7–10am & 7–10pmNo watering lawns; watering plants alternate days, 7–10am & 7–10pm Greywater only
Swimming pools:No emptying or filling; Topping-up allowedNo topping-up, emptying or filling
Car washing:Once a week, or at commercial car washOnce a month, or at commercial car washOnly at commercial car washesNo car washing
Window cleaning:Only with bucket or high-pressure, low-volume cleanerNo window cleaning

Canberra was subject to Stage 1 restrictions from 1 November 2005, which were increased to Stage 2 after a year on 1 November 2006. The continuing drought led to a further increase to Stage 3 from 16 December 2006; the restrictions were maintained at Stage 3 throughout 2007 and 2008. From 1 November 2010 Canberra moved to Permanent Water Saving Rules due to heavy rain bringing water storages close to capacity.

New South Wales

The different classification levels of water restrictions in New South Wales vary widely, and are set by the different authorities responsible for water throughout the state.

Sydney

The following levels have been used by Sydney Water to describe the different stages of water restrictions it has imposed. Level 3 Water Restriction Information is current as of 2009. [3] [4] [5] Level 1 and Level 2 Water Restriction Information is current as of November 2019. [6]

Level 1 [6] (Current) Level 2 [7] (Not Current – 10 December 2019 – 29 February 2020)Level 3 [8]
Sprinklers and irrigation:
  • No standard sprinklers at any time
  • Drip irrigation can be used
  • Watering systems can be used with soil moisture sensor, rain sensor, or automated weather adjustment only
  • No standard sprinklers, soaker/weeping hoses, mist sprayers, tap timers, or watering systems at any time
  • Sprinklers are not permitted to be used for children to play under

Before 10am and after 4pm every day:

  • Drip irrigation systems for a maximum of 15 minutes a day
  • Systems with a soil moisture/rain sensor, or automated weather adjustment for a maximum of 15 minutes per day
No sprinklers at any time
Watering gardens and lawns:
  • Hose with trigger nozzle can be used before 10 am and after 4 pm every day
  • Watering cans and buckets permitted
  • New turf can be watered for one week as per turf instructions
  • Hoses cannot be left running unattended
  • Gardens & lawns can be watered before 10 am & after 4 pm using only a watering can or bucket (for any amount of time)
  • Hoses cannot be used for garden or lawn watering
  • New turf can be watered with a hand-held trigger nozzle hose for up to four weeks, only following the Sydney Water plan found here [7]
  • New turf greater than 30 m2 (continuous) can use sprinklers and watering systems in place of a hose, only following the Sydney Water plan found here [7]
2 times weekly,
before 10 am or after 4 pm (as of 2009)
Vehicles, Boats, and Buildings:
  • Washing vehicles and/or buildings permitted only with a hose connected to a trigger nozzle
  • High-pressure cleaning equipment permitted
  • Washing of bins with trigger nozzle or high-pressure equipment permitted
Vehicles
  • Vehicles, trailered vessels, & trailers are only permitted to be cleaned with a bucket & sponge, or at a commercial car wash
  • Hoses are not permitted to wash vehicles

Boats

  • Boats can be washed for 10 minutes using trigger nozzle hose after being in seawater
  • Boat motors can be flushed with a bucket or a purpose-designed flushing device
  • Boat water tanks can be filled using an attended hose – tank is not to overflow
  • Bilges can be cleaned using a high-pressure cleaner or trigger nozzle hose
  • Safety components of boat trailers can be cleaned (eg. wheel bearings or brakes) using a high-pressure cleaner or trigger hose

Buildings

Residents and businesses:

  • Washing of garbage bins is permitted using water from a bucket or a trigger nozzle hose
  • A bucket and cloth/sponge is permitted for washing of windows or other glass surfaces.
    • Alternatively, professional window cleaners who have an exemption permit can be used
  • No cleaning of walls, roofing, gutters or hard surfaces with a hose or high pressure cleaner as part of general cleaning
  • No use of water for dust suppression without a permit, unless there's no alternative water source reasonably available
  • Leaving hoses and taps running unattended is not permitted
No current information
Swimming pools:
  • Permitted to top up swimming pool or spa
  • Permit and pool cover required to fill new or renovated pool
  • Permitted to top up an existing pool or spa, using a trigger nozzle hose, watering can or bucket for a maximum of 15 minutes a day.
    • (Only to top up to replace water lost through evaporation, not to replace water deliberately removed from the pool or spa)
  • No filling of pools over 500L without a permit
  • No use of children's toys that connect to a hose, such as a 'slip n' slide'
  • Only recycled/grey/rain/bore water can be used to fill/top up your pond or water feature. Drinking water is not permitted to be used.
No current information
Hard surfaces:
  • No hosing hard surfaces (paths, driveways, and buildings) as part of general cleaning
  • Spot cleaning of hard surfaces permitted only for health,safety, or emergency reasons only
  • Not permitted to clean hard surfaces such as paths, driveways and paved areas with a hose/high pressure cleaner as part of general cleaning
  • A broom is to be used to clean paths, driveways and other hard surfaces
  • Spot cleaning hard surfaces for health, safety or emergency reasons, using a trigger nozzle hose or high pressure cleaner is permitted
No hosing hard surfaces (paths, driveways, cars, floors and buildings)
Exemptions

(These are not subject to water restrictions, but must be used wisely)

  • Using drinking water for firefighting, testing and related activities is not restricted.
  • Recycled water (some areas of Sydney from purple pipes)
  • Grey-water (from sinks, showers, washing machines etc)
  • Rainwater (not topped up from, or switched to, the drinking water supply)
  • Bore water (some government restrictions apply)
  • River water (you need to have a licence)
  • Water required to sustain life or structural integrity in a pond, lake, or water feature must have an exemption permit.
No current information

Sydney Water Restrictions (2019–present)

Level 1 Restrictions:

In late May 2019, it was announced that Sydney Water will be reinstating Level 1 water restrictions throughout the greater Sydney area. [6] [9] [10] These restrictions began on 1 June 2019, as a result of an extremely dry year. As of 29 May 2019, Greater Sydney water supply levels are 53.4%, [11] which is significantly lower than May 2018, in which supply levels were 73% in major catchments. [11]

Level 2 Restrictions:

On 21 November 2019, the NSW government announced Level 2 water restrictions. These restrictions commenced on 10 December 2019, replacing the level 1 water restrictions. Level 2 restrictions have been brought in earlier than the Metropolitan Water Plan [12] (2017) recommends, with dam levels currently at 46.1%. [13] Premier Gladys Berejiklian, and Minister for Water, Property and Housing, Melinda Pavey announced the restrictions early as a precautionary measure, and to stave off the implementation of Level 3 restrictions later on. [14]

Level 3 Restrictions:

Upon the commencement of the Level 2 water restrictions in December 2019, Minister for Water, Property and Housing, Melinda Pavey announced that Level 3 water restrictions should be expected early in the year of 2020. [8]

Sydney Water Restrictions (2003–2009)

Falling dam levels prompted Sydney Water to impose Level 1 water restrictions on the Sydney area from 1 October 2003. [15] When these restrictions failed to stem the reduction in the city's water supplies as a result of continuing drought, and with dam levels dropping below 50 per cent, Level 2 water restrictions were introduced from 1 June 2004. Further reductions in dam levels to below 40 per cent of capacity led to an increase to Level 3 water restrictions from 1 June 2005. Level 3 water restrictions were in place as of February 2008. Since June 2009, though, Sydney Water replaced water restrictions with Water Wise Rules. The Rules include: [16]

  • All hoses must now have a trigger nozzle.
  • Hand held hoses, sprinklers and watering systems may be used only before 10 am and after 4 pm on any day – to avoid the heat of the day.
  • No hosing of hard surfaces such as paths and driveways. Washing vehicles is allowed.
  • Fire hoses may be used for fire fighting activities only.

To deal with its water shortage, New South Wales has followed the same path as Western Australia, in which a desalination plant for Sydney was built at an estimated cost of $1.3 billion. [17] The Sydney Desalination Plant is to be turned on when Sydney's drinking water level reaches 60% capacity, and water restrictions will be in place when drinking water reaches 50% capacity. [18]

Sydney Water has imposed fines of $220 for violations [6] of the rules for individuals, $550 [6] for businesses, and $2,200 for water theft. [19] Rules are enforced by Sydney Water staff through random checks.

Regional NSW

As different towns in regional New South Wales take their drinking water from different sources, different levels of water restrictions apply. The levels or stages which apply in certain towns are as follows:

  • Albury – no restrictions
  • Armidale – Level 5 from October 2019 [20]
  • Bathurst – Level 3 from 26 November 2019
  • Cobar – Stage 5
  • Dubbo – From Saturday 1 June 2019 Level 2 Water Restrictions are in place.
  • Gosford – Stage 4 from 1 October 2006
  • Goulburn had Stage 5 water restrictions imposed from 1 October 2004, and went on to win a National Water Conservation Award for Excellence due to the water which had been conserved. [21] From 5 July 2007, Goulburn relaxed its water restrictions to Level 3. [22]
  • Griffith – Stage 2 introduced on 27 November 2007 [23]
  • Leeton – Level 3 introduced on 9 October 2007 [24] but lowered to level 2 on 1 November 2008 [25]
  • Newcastle – Level 1 from 16 September 2019 [26]
  • Orange – Level 5 from 6 October 2019 [27]
  • Port Macquarie – Stage 2 from September 2019 [28]
  • Taree – Level 3 from 11 November 2019 [29]
  • Wagga Wagga – Permanent Water Conservation Measure [30]

Northern Territory

The Territory's water resources are managed and protected by the Northern Territory (NT) Water Act 1992. [31]

In 2017 the Northern Territory Government introduced Compulsory Water Conservation Measures to the Katherine region to take pressure off of their groundwater supplies. This meant: [32]

The Northern Territory do not currently have any restrictions in place.

Queensland

Some of the details of the different stages of water restrictions which apply in Queensland for the residential sector are as follows: [33]

Stage 1Stage 2Stage 3Stage 4Stage 5Stage 6Stage 7
Reticulation sprinklers:3 days/weekNo sprinklersNo external water use without permit
Sprinkler times:4–8am & 4–8pm
Hose watering of gardens:3 days/weekNo hosing
Hose watering times:4–8am & 4–8pmBefore 7 am & after 7 pm
Bucket/watering can watering times:Any time3 days/week;
4–8am & 4–8pm
No watering lawns;
Otherwise 3 days/week, 4–7pm
Pool filling:Any timeRequires approval
Topping-up pools:4–8am & 4–8pm,
3 days/week
7pm–7am,
3 days/week
4–8am & 4–8pm,
3 days/week
4–7pm,
3 days/week
Log required
Hosing hard surfaces:Prohibited at all times
Car/window washing:Hose or bucketBucket onlyBucket only, to wash mirrors, lights & windows

Although some regions of Queensland have had traditionally high rainfalls, some regions of Queensland have been subject to the toughest water restrictions in place in Australia. The highest level of water restrictions reached the drought was stage 7 for Kingaroy. [34] Toowoomba, Brisbane and South East Queensland reached Level 6 restrictions.

On 13 May 2005, 13 local councils in southeast Queensland, including those in Brisbane, agreed to impose Stage 1 water restrictions, due to drying dams. [35] These restrictions were increased to Stage 2 from 3 October 2005, which at the time were described as the "toughest water restrictions in southeast Queensland's history", except the Gold Coast which had been on Stage 5 restrictions since 2004. [36] Stage 3 water restrictions were imposed on the region from 13 June 2006 amid projections that water storage levels would drop to 5% within 26 months. [37] Water restrictions continued to increase, to Stage 4 from 1 November 2006, [38] stage 5 from 10 April 2007, and up to Stage 6 from 23 November 2007.

The Queensland Water Commission has relaxed water restrictions, with the introduction of High Level Water restrictions as of 31 July 2008. [39]

Other towns and regions of Queensland are subject to different levels of water restrictions, as set out below:

Source: Queensland Water Restrictions, Queensland Water Commission

South Australia

The different levels of residential water restrictions which have been applied to different regions of South Australia by SA Water are as follows:

Permanent Water Conservation MeasuresEyre PeninsulaLevel 2Level 3
Reticulation sprinklers:5pm–10am (6pm–10am in DST)6pm–8am (8pm–8am in DST)8pm–8am, 3 days/week. Sporting grounds and public facilities 2 days/week.Prohibited
Hand-held hose watering and drippers:Any time1 day/week with trigger nozzle, 6–9am or 5–8pm
Bucket/watering cans:Any time
Swimming pools and Spas:No restrictionsNo filling or emptying without permit. New pools or spas must have a cover.
Fountains and ponds:No restrictionsMust not be operated and can not be topped up unless they support fish.
Car washing:Bucket, commercial car wash or hose with trigger nozzle onlyBucket or commercial car wash only
Hard surfaces:No washing or hosing down hard surfaces

Different water restrictions levels apply to different parts of the state, depending upon the source of drinking water used in that region. SA Water have produced a map showing the current areas of water restrictions.

Areas using Murray River water

Adelaide and much of south-eastern South Australia takes its drinking water from the Murray River. Permanent water conservation measures were put into place in this region in 2003, [42] and as a result of the most severe drought to hit the region since the 1940s, [42] Level 2 water restrictions were imposed from 22 October 2006 on those areas (including metropolitan Adelaide) which use water from the Murray River. [43] Even lower inflows to the Murray River over the course of 2006 led to the even tougher Level 3 water restrictions being imposed on the region from 1 January 2007, [44] which remain in place.

Other areas

The Eyre Peninsula draws most of its drinking water from underground basins, [45] which progressively became depleted through drought and high consumption, prompting the State Government to introduce water restrictions on the entire region from 6 December 2002, apart from Whyalla. [45] The water restrictions for the peninsula remain in force as of 2008.

Conversely, the areas in the south east of the State, south of the town of Keith, are subject to the permanent water conservation measures.

Other areas in the state are not subject to water restrictions. These areas include Murray Mallee, areas north of Port Augusta, Kangaroo Island, Cockburn, Hawker, Melrose, Ororoo, Parachilna, Quorn, Warooka, Wilmington, Terowie, Yunta, Olary and Manna Hill.

The different levels of residential water restrictions which have been applied to different regions of South Australia by SA Water are as follows:

Permanent Water Conservation Measures Eyre Peninsula Level 2 Level 3 Reticulation sprinklers: 5pm–10am (6pm–10am in DST) 6pm–8am (8pm–8am in DST) 8pm–8am, 3 days/week Prohibited Hand-held hose watering and drippers: Any time 1 day/week with trigger nozzle, 6–9am or 5–8pm.

Tasmania

Usually, there are no water restrictions for domestic consumption. [ citation needed ]

Periodically, however, restrictions will be placed on how water can be used in domestic, commercial or rural areas. Examples [46] of such restrictions are:

One purpose of such restrictions is to keep the dam levels up and ensure adequate water pressure for the fire department's needs in the event of fires.

Victoria

The different stages of water restrictions which apply in different areas of Victoria are based on the Victorian Uniform Drought Water Restriction Guidelines, [48] which, however, have been modified by the inclusion of a Stage 3a, to reduce the likelihood of needing to impose Stage 4 restrictions in metropolitan Melbourne. [49]

Stage 1Stage 2Stage 3Stage 3aStage 4
Watering lawns:Manual: Any time, any day with the use of a trigger-nozzle hose or bucket. Automatic: 6am–10am and 6pm–10pm on alternating daysWatering lawns is bannedAll outside watering banned
Reticulation watering days:Alternating daysDrippers only, 2 days/week
Automatic reticulation:Midnight–4amMidnight–2am
Manual reticulation:6–8am & 8–10pm6–8am
Hose watering/ buckets/ watering cans:Any time2 days/week, 6–8am & 8–10pm2 days/week, 6–8am
Hosing hard surfaces:Banned at all times
Car washing:Bucket/high pressure cleaner or trigger nozzle hoseBucket/high pressure cleaner onlyBuckets only to clean windows, mirrors and lights
Swimming pools:Filling or topping up pools/spas up to 2000 L permitted. Over 2000 L, permit requiredNo filling

The status of water restrictions in different regions of Victoria is as set out below:

Source: Report and map explaining the restrictions in Victoria as of September 2006 and Water restrictions as of 2010

Western Australia

The different stages of water restrictions which can currently be applied in Western Australia are as follows: [55]

Stage 1Stage 2Stage 3Stage 4Stage 5Stage 6Stage 7
Reticulation sprinklers:DailyAlternate days3 times/weekTwice weeklyOnce weeklyNo sprinklers
Sprinkler times:Before 9.00 am or after 6.00 pm
Hose watering of gardens:Any timeNo hose watering
Swimming pools:No restrictionNo over-fillingNo topping-upNo filling
Car washing:No restrictionBucket only
Canning Dam, one of Perth's major dams, at 34.4% of capacity Canning Dam, Perth (3).jpg
Canning Dam, one of Perth's major dams, at 34.4% of capacity
Victoria Dam, at 30.6% of capacity Victoria Dam, Perth (1).jpg
Victoria Dam, at 30.6% of capacity

Water restrictions have been employed in various Western Australian towns when poor rainfall has led to water shortages. For instance, in the summer of 1977–1978, Perth was subject to a total sprinkler ban. [56] [57] Newman and Nullagine experienced water restrictions from 1991 and 1992 onwards as the result of drought. [58] Similarly, the resort towns of Yallingup and Dunsborough experienced water restrictions in 1997 during a heatwave, [59] and Kalgoorlie-Boulder had temporary water restrictions imposed during 1998 due to shortages in its reservoirs (which contain water pumped through the Goldfields Water Supply Scheme). [60]

A Stage 1 ban on using reticulation sprinklers between 9.00 am and 6.00 pm was imposed on Perth residents in 1996, [56] and remains in place to this day. This was the first water restriction imposed on the state's most populous city since the total sprinkler ban in 1978. [56] From September 2001, users of the Integrated Water Supply Scheme (covering Perth, its surrounds and towns on the Goldfields pipeline) were subject to Stage 4 restrictions, only permitted to use reticulation sprinklers two days per week, according to a roster.

The town of Northampton in the Mid-West encountered a water shortage in 2006 where its underground aquifer could not meet demand. Stage 5 watering restrictions were imposed, [61] and the Water Corporation resorted to carting tankers of water to the town to maintain the supply. [62]

Stage 4 water restrictions were imposed in the South-West towns of Bridgetown, Balingup, Boyup Brook, Hester, Kirup, Greenbushes and Mullalyup from 13 October 2006. [61]

On 1 October 2007, water restrictions were expanded to cover the entire state, including those towns serviced by utilities other than the Water Corporation. Under the new system, all areas of the state in the region south of Kalbarri and Kalgoorlie (including Perth and most of the state's population) which use scheme water are subject to Stage 4 restrictions. [63] Areas north of the dividing line are subject to Stage 2 restrictions. [64] Furthermore, whereas the water restrictions had previously only restricted the use of mains water to water gardens and lawns by sprinkler, under the new water restrictions unlicensed bore operators in Perth and its surrounds are restricted to watering their gardens three times per week. [65] This was to slow the depletion of underground aquifers from which Perth sources much of its drinking water.

Around November 2013 the water restrictions were removed from the Water Agencies (Water Use) Bylaws 2010 and added to the Water Services Regulations 2013 [66] [67] [68]

Efforts are being made to secure alternative water sources to ease water shortages in the Integrated Water Supply System. Integral to the Government's strategy is the construction of desalination plants to service Perth. One has already been constructed in Kwinana, which supplies 17% of the city's water consumption and is the largest desalination plant in both the Southern and Eastern hemispheres. [69] A second desalination plant near Binningup was completed in 2011. [70] A trial has also been announced to treat wastewater and pump it into underground aquifers to undergo natural filtration as it returns to the dwindling groundwater supply. [71]

Water storage levels

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology collates national statistics (from 2009 onwards) for water storage levels and makes them available on their water storage web tool and via a water storage iPhone app.

Sources: Water Services Association of Australia, Melbourne Water (listed as percent)

LocationDec 2005Sep 2006Oct 2006Nov 2006Dec 2006Jan 2007Feb 2007Mar 2007Apr 2007May 2007Jun 2007Jul 2007Aug 2007Sep 2007Oct 2007Nov 2007Dec 2007Jan 2008Feb 2008Mar 2008
Adelaide 8957.5585755.956.555
Brisbane 3526.925.924.8724.322.721.715.520.5
Canberra 6747.845.942.5640.436.734.731.441.7
Darwin 56857779
Hobart 8181878579
Melbourne 58.14644.14639.838.736.532.133.135.639.143.642.742.340.137.1
Perth 3932.331.829.5328.72623.6
Sydney 40.542.640.638.637.134.837.138.538.237.353.157.558.858.957.358.860.961.066.466.1

Criticism

Water restrictions have been criticised for hampering the economy and the lifestyles of people. [72] The National Water Commission chief has argued that Australia needs a source of water that is independent of rainfall. Water desalination is touted as the solution for potentially unlimited water use. [73] Former Australian Environment Minister, Malcolm Turnbull says that it does not make sense to have permanent water restrictions just as there are no electricity restrictions. [74]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Warragamba Dam</span> Dam in Warragamba, New South Wales

Warragamba Dam is a heritage-listed dam in the outer South Western Sydney suburb of Warragamba, Wollondilly Shire in New South Wales, Australia. It is a concrete gravity dam, which creates Lake Burragorang, the primary reservoir for water supply for the city of Sydney. The dam wall is located approximately 65 kilometres (40 mi) W of Sydney central business district, 4½ km SW of the town of Wallacia, and 1 km NW of the village of Warragamba.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lake Burragorang</span> Man-made water supply dammed reservoir in Australia

Lake Burragorang is a man-made reservoir in the lower Blue Mountains of New South Wales, Australia, serving as a major water supply for greater metropolitan Sydney. The dam impounding the lake, the Warragamba Dam, is located approximately 60 kilometres (37 mi) southwest of the Sydney central business district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sydney Water</span> Water utility in New South Wales, Australia

Sydney Water, formally, Sydney Water Corporation, is a New South Wales Government–owned statutory corporation that provides potable drinking water, wastewater and some stormwater services to Greater Metropolitan Sydney, the Illawarra and the Blue Mountains regions, in the Australian state of New South Wales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maroon Dam</span> Dam in South East Queensland

The Maroon Dam is a rock and earth-fill embankment dam with an un-gated spillway across the Burnett Creek that is located in the South East region of Queensland, Australia. The main purpose of the dam is for irrigation of the Scenic Rim Regional Council region. The impounded reservoir is also called Maroon Dam.

An outdoor water-use restriction is a ban or other lesser restrictions put into effect that restricts the outdoor use of water supplies. Often called a watering ban or hosepipe ban, it can affect:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glenlyon Dam</span> Reservoir in Queensland

Glenlyon Dam, also known as Pike Creek Reservoir, is an earth and rockfill dam in Queensland near the border with New South Wales, roughly between Stanthorpe and Texas to the west. In 1976, the dam wall was built on Pike Creek, a tributary of the Dumaresq River, 5 km (3.1 mi) upstream from the confluence of the Mole River and the Severn River branching from the Dumaresq. Its impoundment is known as Lake Glenlyon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drought in Australia</span> Rainfall deficiency in Australia

Drought in Australia is defined by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology as rainfall over period greater than three-months being in the lowest decile of what has been recorded for that region in the past. This definition takes into account that drought is a relative term and rainfall deficiencies need to be compared to typical rainfall patterns including seasonal variations. Specifically, drought in Australia is defined in relation to a rainfall deficiency of pastoral leases and is determined by decile analysis applied to a certain area. Note that this definition uses rainfall only because long-term records are widely available across most of Australia. However, it does not take into account other variables that might be important for establishing surface water balance, such as evaporation and condensation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Environment of Australia</span>

The Australian environment ranges from virtually pristine Antarctic territory and rainforests to degraded industrial areas of major cities. Forty distinct ecoregions have been identified across the Australian mainland and islands. Central Australia has a very dry climate. The interior has a number of deserts while most of the coastal areas are populated. Northern Australia experiences tropical cyclones while much of the country is prone to periodic drought. This dry and warm environment and exposure to cyclones, makes Australia particularly vulnerable to climate change -- with some areas already experiencing increases in wildfires and fragile ecosystems.

The Fairbairn Dam is an earth-filled embankment dam across the Nogoa River, located southwest of Emerald in Central Queensland, Australia. Constructed in 1972 for the primary purpose of irrigation, the impoundment created by the dam serves as one of the major potable water supplies for the region and assists with some flood mitigation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Victorian Desalination Plant</span>

The Victorian Desalination Plant is a water desalination plant in Dalyston, on the Bass Coast in southern Victoria, Australia. The project was announced by Premier Steve Bracks in June 2007, at the height of the millennium drought when Melbourne's water storage levels dropped to 28.4%, a drop of more than 20% from the previous year. Increased winter-spring rains after mid-2007 took water storage levels above 40%, but it was not until 2011 that storages returned to pre-2006 levels.

The Sydney Desalination Plant also known as the Kurnell Desalination Plant is a potable drinking water desalination plant that forms part of the water supply system of Greater Metropolitan Sydney. The plant is located in the Kurnell industrial estate, in Southern Sydney in the Australian state of New South Wales. The plant uses reverse osmosis filtration membranes to remove salt from seawater and is powered using renewable energy, supplied to the national power grid from the Infigen Energy–owned Capital Wind Farm located at Bungendore.

The Queensland Water Commission (QWC) is a defunct Queensland Government agency established to develop long term water supply strategies. The Commission was chaired by Mary Boydell and the chief executive officer was John Bradley.

As Australia's supply of freshwater is increasingly vulnerable to droughts, possibly as a result of climate change, there is an emphasis on water conservation and various regions have imposed restrictions on the use of water.

Water security in Australia became a major concern in Australia in the late 20th and early 21st century as a result of population growth, recurring severe droughts, effects of climate change on Australia, environmental degradation from reduced environmental flows, competition between competing interests such as grazing, irrigation and urban water supplies, and competition between upstream and downstream users. For example, there is competition for the resources of the Darling River system between Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia. Water reform was first placed on the national agenda at the 1994 Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting when a strategic framework was devised. As the knowledge of surface and groundwater systems grew and the awareness of the significance of sustainable water markets increased, further water reform was agreed to at the 2004 COAG meeting, under a national blueprint known as the National Water Initiative (NWI).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adelaide Desalination Plant</span>

The Adelaide Desalination plant (ADP), formerly known as the Port Stanvac Desalination Plant, is a sea water reverse osmosis desalination plant located in Lonsdale, South Australia which has the capacity to provide the city of Adelaide with up to 50% of its drinking water needs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SEQ Water Grid</span>

The SEQ Water Grid is a region-wide, long term, water supply scheme that provides a sustainable water infrastructure network for the South East region of Queensland, Australia. The project was the largest urban response to the drought in Australia, which severely affected water supplies in Brisbane and surrounds, particularly between 2004 and 2007. The basic component of the project was a 535-kilometre (332 mi) network of potable bulk water pipelines that connect areas that have an oversupply of water to those areas lacking water. The project went online in October 2008 and by November 2008 parts of the region were receiving a diversified supply of water for the first time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2000s Australian drought</span> Period of low rainfall on the continent

The 2000s drought in Australia, also known as the millennium drought is said by some to be the worst drought recorded since European settlement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seawater desalination in Australia</span>

Australia is the driest habitable continent on Earth and its installed desalination capacity has been increasing. Until a few decades ago, Australia met its demands for water by drawing freshwater from dams and water catchments. As a result of the water supply crisis during the severe 1997–2009 drought, state governments began building desalination plants that purify seawater using reverse osmosis technology. Approximately one percent of the world's drinkable water originates from desalination plants.

The Cape Town water crisis in South Africa was a period of severe water shortage in the Western Cape region, most notably affecting the City of Cape Town. While dam water levels had been decreasing since 2015, the Cape Town water crisis peaked during mid-2017 to mid-2018 when water levels hovered between 14 and 29 percent of total dam capacity.

References

  1. "Living with Drought 20/3/2011". Archived from the original on 18 February 2007. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
  2. "SCHEME OF TEMPORARY RESTRICTIONS ON THE USE OF WATER FROM ACTEW CORPORATION WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM" (PDF).
  3. When were water restrictions introduced
  4. "Water Restrictions".
  5. "Where can I get information about water restrictions?". Office of Environment and Heritage. Archived from the original on 9 February 2019. Retrieved 8 February 2019.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Water, Sydney. "Water restrictions". Sydney Water Corporation. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  7. 1 2 3 Water, Sydney. "Level 2 water restrictions". Sydney Water Corporation. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  8. 1 2 Brown, Natalie (9 December 2019). "What Sydney's new water restrictions mean for you". News.com.au. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  9. Hannam, Peter (28 May 2019). "Sydney's water restrictions to kick in from June 1 as big dry worsens". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  10. "Water Restrictions: Water Information: Bureau of Meteorology". bom.gov.au. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  11. 1 2 "Greater Sydney's dam levels". waternsw.com.au. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  12. "Sydney Metropolitan Water". www.planning.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  13. "Greater Sydney's dam levels". www.waternsw.com.au. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  14. Hannam, Lisa Visentin, Peter (21 November 2019). "'Rapid decline' forces Sydney to Level 2 water restrictions". The Sydney Morning Herald.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  15. Stephanie Peatling; Jacqueline Maley (1 October 2003). "Water-watchers Stalk The Streets As We Learn To Drip The Lawn". The Sydney Morning Herald . p. 2.
  16. "Water Wise Rules". Sydney Water Corporation. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
  17. NSW goes against flow on water law, The Sydney Morning Herald
  18. Hair, Jonathan (25 January 2019). "Enforce water restrictions before turning to desalination, Sydney mayor argues". ABC News. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
  19. "Sydney Water – Water Wise Rules". Archived from the original on 1 April 2011. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
  20. "Armidale Regional Council" . Retrieved 23 April 2019.
  21. Goulburn wins water-saving award, ABC News 29 November 2006
  22. "Goulburn – Level 3 Water Restrictions".
  23. "404 Not Found" . Retrieved 2 October 2021.{{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  24. "Leeton Shire Council". leeton.nsw.gov.au.
  25. Braham, Emily (24 October 2008). "Level 2 change on way". The Irrigator. Retrieved 8 November 2008.
  26. "Water Restrictions – Hunter Water".
  27. "Water Restrictions".
  28. "Water Restrictions".
  29. "Water Restrictions".
  30. "Riverina Water County Council |". Archived from the original on 29 February 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  31. "Water Act 1992". Northern Territory Legislation.
  32. "Water Restrictions". Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology.
  33. "Qld Water Commission : Restrictions". Archived from the original on 4 January 2008. Retrieved 17 March 2008.
  34. 1 2 "Level 7 Water Restrictions" (PDF). Kingaroy Shire Council . Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 March 2009. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  35. "Tap tightened on water use". The Courier-Mail . 13 May 2005. p. 1.
  36. Dudley, Jennifer (1 October 2005). "Water crackdown toughest yet". The Courier-Mail . p. 11.
  37. Griffith, Chris (13 June 2006). "Water crisis to hit new depths". The Courier-Mail . p. 3.
  38. Level 4 restrictions start 1 November, Queensland Water Commission
  39. "High level restrictions" (PDF). Retrieved 13 February 2015.
  40. "New Water Conservation Measures Water Supply & Dams New Water Conservation Measures". Townsville City Council. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  41. "Securing water for Townsville Haughton Pipeline Duplication". GHD. Gutteridge Haskins & Davey. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  42. 1 2 Kelton, Greg (14 October 2006). "Words flow even if the water doesn't". The Advertiser . p. 32.
  43. Kelton, Greg (13 October 2006). "LAST DROPS Tougher water controls". The Advertiser . p. 1.
  44. Peddie, Clare (30 December 2006). "RESTRICTIONS New round of cuts in force on Monday Record low flows into the Murray". The Advertiser . p. 35.
  45. 1 2 Greg Kelton & Nathan Cross (5 December 2002). "Constraints on gardens, parks and washing cars Peninsula hit with water restrictions". The Advertiser . p. 7.
  46. "Restrictions Policy.pdf.aspx Stages of Water Restrictions".
  47. Restrictions Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment
  48. "Victorian Uniform Drought Water Restriction Guidelines" (PDF).
  49. "Our Water, Our Future – Stage 3a Water Restrictions".
  50. (23 June 2010). Ballarat water restrictions eased. Jacqui Peake. ABC News Online. Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
  51. Stage 1 water restrictions introduced, South East Water
  52. Stage 2 Water Restrictions From November, South East Water
  53. "Home – Melbourne Water". melbournewater.com.au.
  54. "Target 155, water restrictions | Melbourne Water". www.melbournewater.com.au.
  55. Schedule 2, Water Agencies (Water Use) By-Laws 2007 (WA)
  56. 1 2 3 Amalfi, Carmelo (19 August 1998). "Winter Rain Fails To Fill WA Dams". The West Australian. p. 7. The sprinkler ban was introduced in 1996, the first restriction on Perth's water since the summer of 1977–78.
  57. Ruse, Ben (13 October 2001). "Total sprinkler ban warning". The West Australian. But Minister Assisting the Treasurer Nick Griffiths said a total ban – not seen since 1977 – would be put in place only if people were not able to save water.
  58. Amalfi, Carmelo (5 October 1996). "Drought Towns 'used To Water Restrictions'". The West Australian. p. 31.
  59. Amalfi, Carmelo; Pennells, Steve (4 January 1997). "Heatwave Runs Course". The West Australian. p. 11.
  60. Watts, Kristen (31 March 1998). "Water restrictions in Kalgoorlie-Boulder may be lifted this week". The West Australian. p. 26.
  61. 1 2 Jerrard, Suellen (12 October 2006). "Tough sprinkler bans hit SW towns". The West Australian. p. 42. One-day-a-week sprinkler restrictions have already been imposed in Northampton, in the Mid-West
  62. Jerrard, Suellen (18 December 2006). "Country in crisis as water tanks run dry". The West Australian. p. 13. The Water Corporation has started carting water to Northampton, one of the areas hardest hit by the drought, because its ground water aquifer could not meet demand.
  63. reg 6, Water Agencies (Water Use) By-Laws 2007 (WA)
  64. reg 5, Water Agencies (Water Use) By-Laws 2007 (WA)
  65. Waterwise Ways for WA – FAQs
  66. , Western Australian Government Gazette 14 November 2013
  67. , Water Agencies (Water Use) Bylaws 2010
  68. , Water Services Regulations 2013 – See part 5 and schedules 1, 2 and 3
  69. "Integrated Water Supply System".
  70. "Southern Seawater Desalination Project". Archived from the original on 1 March 2009. Retrieved 17 March 2008.
  71. Perth tests treated sewage for drinking The Age, 2 January 2007
  72. (28 May 2007). Restrictions off in five years, says usage report. David Rood. The Age.
  73. (18 May 2007). 'Unlimited' water could be on tap. Ben Doherty. The Age.
  74. "Speech to CEDA: Why should our cities be short of water? Is urban water a finite resource?". malcolmturnbull.com.au. 8 June 2006. Archived from the original on 20 August 2006. Retrieved 2 September 2020.