WATER restrictions have spread further in the Upper Hunter to include Aberdeen, Merriwa and Scone due to increased consumption amid drought conditions.
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Upper Hunter Shire Council announced on Tuesday morning that Level One restrictions would apply to the three towns and the village of Cassilis from July 1.The restrictions include watering lawn and gardens only from 6am to 10am and 4pm to 10pm, washing cars with a bucket and rinsing with a trigger hose on grass and no washing of walls or paved surfaces.
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"Upper Hunter Shire Council has introduced water restrictions not because of an imminent threat to the water supply in these towns, but to encourage responsible water use more generally, and to proactively respond to ongoing drought conditions," the council said in a statement.
The council introduced voluntary rules based on Level One restrictions last summer, but remains concerned they could enter a third straight summer with higher consumption."In the 2017/18 year, water use in Scone and Aberdeen rose by 23 per cent on the previous year, and in Merriwa use rose by 29 per cent," the council said.
"So far in 2019, water use in Aberdeen, Merriwa and Scone has been more conservative than the previous year, however these towns are still on track to reach high levels of water use, particularly if low rainfall levels continue."
Enforcement of the rules will commence in September, two months after their introduction.
Merriwa and Cassilis draw from ground water supplies while Scone and Aberdeen are supplied by Glenbawn Dam. On June 13 the dam was at 51.6 per cent capacity.
Murrurundi has been on water restrictions since 2017 and on Level Six restrictions since mid-2018 due to limited availability from the Pages River.
Water carting from Scone and an emergency bore is supplying the town.