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.
Dam Level | Restriction Level | Target Reduction in Consumption |
---|---|---|
7.5m | 1 | 10% |
7.0m | 2 | 20% |
6.5m | 3 | 30% |
6.0m | 4 | 50% |
5.5m | 5 | 70% |
5.0m | 6 | 85% |
Algae or other contaminants requires dam water use to cease and supply to be drawn from Boyd Street Pages River inlet screen and pit | 5 | 70% |
As part of Water NSW’s ongoing management of the water resource, the available volumes and allocations of water are determined on a continuous basis.
Under these resource management processes, Town water allocation “Trigger Points” should be set in parallel with restrictions to supply as they affect other users.
The restriction triggers set out below are based on Water NSW’s/Department of Industry - Water's available water determinations (AWD) announcements which are made under the Water Sharing Plan for the Hunter Regulated Water Source, 2003.
The adopted trigger levels are aimed at ensuring that Singleton is affected by water restrictions for less than 10% of the time and no more than 5 times per 100 years.
These Triggers have also been adopted by both Muswellbrook and Upper Hunter Shire Councils, as part of a regional approach to water supply management in the region.
Trigger | Restriction Level |
---|---|
10% reduction in High Security Water allocations | 1 |
25% reduction in High Security Water allocations | 2 |
40% reduction in High Security Water allocations | 3 |
55% reduction in High Security Water allocations | 4 |
70% reduction in High Security Water allocations | 5 |
85% reduction in High Security Water allocations or major breakdown of rising main or pumping equipment | 6 |
Three bore pumps are available to supply bore water to Merriwa and Cassilis with the following capacities
The capacity of the treatment plant limits the operation of the pumps to Pump #1 + Pump# 2 or Pump #1 and Pump #3.
Parks & gardens watering is a major user and should be restricted during high consumption periods.
The trigger levels listed below have been adopted to ensure that (a) there is always a stand-by pump available; (b) pumping times are within the normal range of operation to prevent pump burn out.
Trigger | Restriction Level |
---|---|
Two (2) Bore pumps operate for 20 hrs/day for more than one day | 1 |
If level 1 restrictions have failed to keep 2 bore pumps operating for less than 20 hours per day | 2 |
If level 2 restrictions have failed to keep 2 bore pumps operating for less than 20 hours per day | 3 |
If level 3 restrictions have failed to keep 2 bore pumps operating for less than 20 hours per day | 4 |
If level 4 restrictions have failed to keep 2 bore pumps operating for less than 18 hours per day Or Significant equipment breakdown | 5 |
Major failure of bore pumps or water treatment plant | 6 |
The information on this page has been extracted from Council's Drought Management and Emergency Response Plan - April 2014.
Drought Management and Emergency Response PlanMore information about water saving initiatives visit Council’s Smart Water Advice portal.
Council also assists residents to install large rainwater tanks with a $400 rebate. Find out more here.
Watering systems, microsprays, drip systems and soaker hoses, non fixed sprinklers and hand held hoses only.
Permitted daily during these times:
Permitted daily during these times:
Watering systems, microsprays, drip systems and soaker hoses, non fixed sprinklers and hand held hoses only.
Permitted daily during these times:
Permitted daily during these times:
Permitted.
Permitted for one week after laying, after which level 1 restrictions on watering lawns applies. (see above)
Not permitted.
Permitted.
Permitted.
Permitted with bucket and rinse with trigger hose on lawn at any time.
Permitted.
Permitted.
Permitted.
Permitted.
Watering systems, non fixed sprinklers, hand held hoses, microsprays, drip systems and soaker hoses only.
Permitted every second day using odds and evens system during these times:
Permitted every second day using odds and evens system during these times:
Watering systems, non fixed sprinklers, hand held hoses, microsprays, drip systems and soaker hoses only.
Permitted every second day using odds and evens system during these times:
Permitted every second day using odds and evens system during these times:
Permitted.
Permitted for one week after laying, after which level 2 restrictions on watering lawns applies. (see above)
Not permitted.
Permitted daily during these times:
Permitted daily during these times:
Permitted daily with bucket and rinse with trigger hose, on lawn, between 9:00am - 12:00pm.
Permitted.
Permitted.
Permitted.
Permitted.
Microsprays, drip systems and soaker hoses only.
Not permitted at any time: watering systems, non fixed sprinklers, hand held hoses.
Permitted every second day using odds and evens system during these times:
Permitted every second day using odds and evens system during these times:
Microsprays, drip systems and soaker hoses only.
Not permitted at any time: watering systems, non fixed sprinklers and hand held hoses.
Permitted every second day using odds and evens system during these times:
Permitted every second day using odds and evens system during these times:
Permitted.
Permitted for one week after laying, after which level 3 restrictions on watering lawns applies. (see above)
Not permitted.
Permitted daily during these times:
Pool covers must be used.
Only with Council permission and provided pool covers are used.
Permitted daily with bucket only, on lawn, between 9:00am - 12:00pm.
Permitted.
Permitted. Full loads only encouraged.
Permitted.
Permitted.
200 litres per person per day
Not permitted.
Microsprays, drip systems and soaker hoses only.
Not permitted at any time: watering systems, non fixed sprinklers and hand held hoses.
Wednesday and Sunday only, between 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Wednesday and Sunday only, between 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Permitted.
Not permitted.
Not permitted.
Permitted daily during these times:
Pool covers must be used.
Only with Council permission and after water savings elsewhere within property. Pool covers must be used.
Permitted daily with bucket only, on lawn, between 9:00am - 12:00pm.
Permitted. Full loads only.
Permitted daily, only between 7:00am - 12:00am.
Permitted.
180 litres per person per day
Not permitted.
Bucket or watering can only.
Not permitted at any time: watering systems, non fixed sprinklers, hand held hoses, microsprays, drip systems and soaker hoses.
Sunday only, between 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Sunday only, between 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Not permitted.
Not permitted.
Not permitted.
Not permitted.
Not permitted.
Not permitted.
Full loads only permitted.
Permitted daily only between 7:00am - 12:00am.
Exemptions may be granted to aged accommodation or nursing homes.
Not permitted.
140 litres per person per day
Not permitted.
Not permitted.
Not permitted.
Not permitted.
Not permitted.
Not permitted.
Not permitted.
Not permitted.
Two full loads of clothes per week.
Permitted daily only between 6:00pm - 10:00pm.
Exemptions may be granted to aged accommodation or nursing homes.
Not permitted.
(WSAP = Water Saving Action Plan)
Watering systems, microsprays, drip systems and soaker hoses, non fixed sprinklers and hand held hoses only.
Permitted daily during these times:
Permitted daily during these times:
Watering systems, microsprays, drip systems and soaker hoses, non fixed sprinklers and hand held hoses only.
Permitted daily during these times:
Permitted daily during these times:
Permitted.
Permitted
Permitted.
Permitted for one week after laying after which level 1 restriction on watering lawns applies
Permitted.
Permitted.
Permitted.
Permitted with trigger hoses, any time.
Permitted.
Permitted.
Permitted.
Permitted.
Permitted.
Permitted.
Permitted.
Permitted.
Permitted.
Permitted.
Permitted.
Permitted.
Permitted.
Permitted.
Watering systems, non fixed sprinklers, hand held hoses, microsprays, drip systems and soaker hoses only.
Permitted every second day using odds and evens system during these times:
Permitted every second day using odds and evens system during these times:
Watering systems, non fixed sprinklers, hand held hoses, microsprays, drip systems and soaker hoses only.
Only between 7:00am-9:00am and between 6:00pm-8:00pm, every day.
Only between 7:00am-9:00am and between 6:00pm-8:00pm, every day.
Permitted.
Permitted for one week after laying after which level 2 restriction on watering lawns applies
Permitted.
Permitted.
Permitted.
Permitted with pressure triggers hoses, any time.
Permitted.
Permitted.
Permitted.
Permitted.
Permitted.
Permitted.
Permitted.
Permitted.
Permitted.
Permitted.
Permitted.
Permitted.
Permitted.
Permitted.
Microsprays, drip systems and soaker hoses only.
Not permitted at any time: watering systems, non fixed sprinklers, hand held hoses.
Permitted every second day using odds and evens system during these times:
Permitted every second day using odds and evens system during these times:
Microsprays, drip systems and soaker hoses only.
Not permitted at any time: watering systems, non fixed sprinklers and hand held hoses.
Permitted every second day using odds and evens system during these times:
Permitted every second day using odds and evens system during these times:
Only between hours of 7:00am - 9:00am and between 6:00pm - 8:00pm, every day provided pool covers are used.
Only with Council permission
Irrigation only between 8:00pm - 08:00am. Business must prepare WSAP.
Permitted for one week after laying after which level 3 restriction on watering lawns applies.
Permitted, but businesses designated by Council must prepare WSAP.
Permitted, but businesses designated by Council must prepare WSAP.
Permitted, but businesses designated by Council must prepare WSAP.
Permitted, with pressure trigger hose.
Permitted, but businesses designated by Council must prepare WSAP.
Permitted, but businesses designated by Council must prepare WSAP.
Permitted, but businesses designated by Council must prepare WSAP.
Permitted, but businesses designated by Council must prepare WSAP.
Permitted, but businesses designated by Council must prepare WSAP.
Permitted, but businesses designated by Council must prepare WSAP.
Permitted, but businesses designated by Council must prepare WSAP.
Permitted, but businesses designated by Council must prepare WSAP.
Permitted, but businesses designated by Council must prepare WSAP.
Permitted, but businesses designated by Council must prepare WSAP.
Permitted, but businesses designated by Council must prepare WSAP.
Permitted, but businesses designated by Council must prepare WSAP.
Permitted, but businesses designated by Council must prepare WSAP.
Permitted, but businesses designated by Council must prepare WSAP.
200 litres per person per day
Not permitted.
Microsprays, drip systems and soaker hoses only.
Not permitted at any time: watering systems, non fixed sprinklers and hand held hoses.
Wednesday and Sunday only, between 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Wednesday and Sunday only, between 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Only between the hours of 7:00am-9:00am and between 6:00pm-8:00pm, every day. Pool covers must be used.
Only with Council permission and after water savings elsewhere within property. Covers must be used.
Business designated by Council must implement and comply with WSAP.
Not permitted.
Business designated by Council must implement and comply with WSAP.
Business designated by Council must implement and comply with WSAP.
Permitted.
Business designated by Council must implement and comply with WSAP.
Business designated by Council must implement and comply with WSAP.
Business designated by Council must implement and comply with WSAP.
Business designated by Council must implement and comply with WSAP.
Business designated by Council must implement and comply with WSAP.
Business designated by Council must implement and comply with WSAP.
WSAP must be implemented.
Business designated by Council must implement and comply with WSAP.
Business designated by Council must implement and comply with WSAP.
Business designated by Council must implement and comply with WSAP.
Business designated by Council must implement and comply with WSAP.
Business designated by Council must implement and comply with WSAP.
Business designated by Council must implement and comply with WSAP.
Business designated by Council must implement and comply with WSAP.
Business designated by Council must implement and comply with WSAP.
180 litres per person per day
Not permitted.
Not permitted.
Not permitted.
Not permitted.
Not permitted.
Not permitted.
Business designated by Council must implement and comply with WSAP.
Permitted.
Business designated by Council must implement and comply with WSAP.
Business designated by Council must implement and comply with WSAP.
Business designated by Council must implement and comply with WSAP.
Business designated by Council must implement and comply with WSAP.
Business designated by Council must implement and comply with WSAP.
Business designated by Council must implement and comply with WSAP.
Business designated by Council must implement and comply with WSAP.
Business designated by Council must implement and comply with WSAP.
Business designated by Council must implement and comply with WSAP.
Business designated by Council must implement and comply with WSAP.
Business designated by Council must implement and comply with WSAP.
Business designated by Council must implement and comply with WSAP.
Business designated by Council must implement and comply with WSAP.
Business designated by Council must implement and comply with WSAP.
Business designated by Council must implement and comply with WSAP.
Business designated by Council must implement and comply with WSAP.
140 litres per person per day
Not permitted.
Not permitted.
Not permitted.
Not permitted.
Not permitted.
Not permitted.
Not permitted.
Not permitted.
Not permitted.
Not permitted.
Not permitted.
Not permitted.
Not permitted.
Not permitted.
Businesses must implement and comply with WSAP.
Not permitted.
Businesses must implement and comply with WSAP.
Not permitted.
Not permitted.
Businesses must implement and comply with WSAP.
Businesses must implement and comply with WSAP.
Not permitted.
Not permitted.
Not permitted.
Tour each room of the water saving Blue House for a fun way to receive hints and tips on saving water around your home.
Here is a Smart Shower Songs Spotify playlist, A groovy playlist of 4 minute songs - pick one and see if you can finish up in the shower before it ends - 4 minutes is considered an efficient shower. Pick from a list of songs old and new!
Upper Hunter Shire Council is a local government authority and provides an extensive array of services including health and building; town planning; aged care; sporting and recreational facilities; roads; libraries; waste collection; airport facilities; saleyards; public venues; water; children, youth and families and tourist information.
Upper Hunter Shire is located in the Hunter Region of NSW, approximately 250km north of Sydney. The Shire is predominantly rural and encompasses 8,100km2.
We have a COVID-19 Safety Plan and are committed to keeping you safe.
PO Box 208
Scone NSW 2337
Phone: 02 6540 1100
Fax: 02 6545 2671
council@upperhunter.nsw.gov.au
135 Liverpool Street, Scone
34-40 Vennacher Street, Merriwa
47 Mayne Street, Murrurundi
After hours emergencies for roads, bridges, animal control,
water, sewer & landfill
Phone: 02 6540 1199
Ngayan marrungku paran wiyan Wanarruwa, mirumalikan para ani parraykupa, ngatan ngayan marrung wiyan Ngarrakay paranpa yurakaykal ngatan pangaykal.
We acknowledge the Wonnarua people, traditional keepers of this land, and we pay respects to their Elders, past and present.
Translation by Aunty Sharon Edgar-Jones.