Water Restrictions

This page outlines any current water restrictions in place throughout the Upper Hunter Shire. Water restrictions are put in place to minimise the risk of a community running out of water.

Current Water Restrictions

There are currently no water restrictions in the Upper Hunter Shire. 

Although there are no current water restrictions, we encourange all residents and businesses to be 'Waterwise' to ensure the ongoing sustainability of our most precious natural resource. 

For tips on how to stay Waterwise, head to the following page. 

Water Restriction Triggers

Council will implement a number of actions and water restrictions to ensure the demand targets are met. These actions, as well as the customer water use restrictions, are summarised in the table below. If not specifically mentioned, the restrictions of each level apply to all higher levels. For example, washing down walls or paved surfaces of any kind is prohibited for Level 1, so they are also prohibited for all higher levels.

Level 1 Restrictions

Trigger Level

Scone, Aberdeen and Murrurundi - 50% storage availability of Glenbawn Dam or Murrurundi Dam. 

Merriwa and Cassilis - 2 bore pumps operate > 20 hrs/d.

Restrictions:

  • No washing down walls or paved surfaces
  • Washing cars with bucket and rinse with trigger hose on lawn only
  • Topping up private and public swimming pools/spas only permitted between 5am - 7am and 4pm - 6pm 
  • First fill of private and public swimming pools/spas only with Council permission
  • Large water (>10ML/year) users must prepare a WEMP

Level 2 Restrictions

Trigger Level

Scone, Aberdeen and Murrurundi - 40% storage availability of Glenbawn Dam or Murrurundi Dam. 

Merriwa and Cassilis - If level 1 restrictions have failed to keep 2 bore pumps operating < 20 hr/d (for a period of at least 4 weeks).

Restrictions:

  • Watering of lawns not permitted for residential, and non-residential
  • Large water users must implement their WEMP
  • All non-residential business (>5ML/year) must prepare WEMP
  • Hosing of vehicles, boats or buildings not permitted

Level 3 Restrictions

Trigger Level

Scone, Aberdeen and Murrurundi - 30% storage availability of Glenbawn Dam or Murrurundi Dam. 

Merriwa and Cassilis - If level 1 restrictions have failed to keep 2 bore pumps operating < 20 hr/d (for a period of at least 4 weeks) or significant equipment breakdown or major failure of bore pumps or WTP. 

 

Restrictions:

  • No washing of vehicles, boats or buildings permitted
  • Inflatable or temporary children's pools not permitted
  • Public car and truck wash facilities not permitted
  • All non-residential business (>5ML/year) must implement their WEMP

 

 

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