Water restrictions will be imposed in Sydney for the first time in a decade as dam levels drop during driest April and May since 1888
- Level one water restrictions will limit usage of sprinklers, sprays and fixed hoses
- Restrictions will be put in place once June 1 as their dams drop under 50 per cent
- The state government is expected to make the announcement on Tuesday
- Water restrictions were enforced in Sydney from October 2003 to June 2009
- This is the driest April and May since 1888 according to Sydney rainfall records
Water restrictions will be enforced in Sydney from June 1 for the first time in a decade due to dropping dam levels.
The New South Wales government announced Sydney will have enforced level one water restrictions, which limits the usage of sprinklers, sprays and fixed hoses, as the city's dams drop to under 50 per cent.
According to the state government's drought indicator, 98 per cent of NSW is drought-affected with 14 per cent in severe drought and is the driest April and May since 1888 according to Sydney rainfall records.
Tight water restrictions were previously enforced in Sydney from October 2003 to June 2009, after dam levels fell to less than half full.
The state government is expected to announce level one water restrictions for Sydney later today, which limits usage of sprinklers, sprays and fixed hoses, once the city's dam drop to under 50 per cent (stock photo)
According to the state government's drought indicator, 98 per cent of NSW is drought-affected with 14 per cent in severe drought. Tight water restrictions were previously enforced in Sydney from October 2003 to June 2009 after damn levels dropped below 50 per cent
Water NSW data states dams have plunged a quarter of their volume over the past year and currently sit at 53.5 per cent.
Water restrictions may become even tighter if dam levels continue to drastically decrease.
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The Government tried to boost Sydney's water levels this year by turning on the city's desalination plant in Kurnell in January.
Warragamba Dam, located in central west NSW, supplies water to more than 3.7million people living in Sydney and the lower Blue Mountains but its reserves are barely above 55 per cent capacity.
Water NSW data states dams have plunged a quarter of their volume over the past year and currently sit at 53.5 per cent. Water restrictions may become even tighter if dam levels continue to drastically decrease (stock photo)
Warragamba Dam (pictured) supplies water to more than 3.7 million people living in Sydney and the lower Blue Mountains but its reserves are barely above 55 per cent capacity. Burrendong and Keepit Dam, located in central west NSW, are sitting on six per cent and one per cent water capacity respectively
Burrendong and Keepit Dam, located in central west NSW, are sitting on six per cent and one per cent water capacity respectively.
This year's April and May period in Sydney is on track to become the second driest period in 160 years, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
Warm weather has also exacerbated the dry conditions, with autumn temperatures pegged at 1.5C above the long term average.
Sydney recorded its warmest day this late into the Autumn season in 25 years, with a reading of 27C on May 21.
