Level 1 water restrictions will apply across the Central Coast from Monday 10 February, as Central Coast Council moves to further secure the region’s water supply.

Restrictions will apply to all outdoor water use, including water from urban rainwater tanks which are connected to, or topped-up by, town drinking water.

Storage in Mangrove Creek Dam is 50.09 percent, just above the 50 percent restriction trigger set by Council last year.

Despite rain forecast for this weekend, the dam storage level is still expected to dip slightly below that trigger point in coming days.

Restrictions will not be lifted until Mangrove Creek Dam’s storage rises above 52 percent.

Council’s Director Water and Sewer, Jamie Loader said the restrictions complement Council’s ongoing investment in water infrastructure which has put the region in a strong position to face a prolonged drought.

“In the past decade, we have made significant investments in the Coast’s water infrastructure and this has paid off, with our dams levels holding relatively steady in comparison to those in neighbouring regions where restrictions were required some months ago,” Mr Loader said.

“Level 1 restrictions will support this water conservation and help us to potentially avoid Level 4 or 5 restrictions and their very stringent measures.

“Council continues to invest in our water infrastructure with the upgrading of the Mardi Water Treatment Plant and the construction of the Mardi to Warnervale Pipeline, which will begin early this year.

Under Level 1 restrictions, some exemptions will be available for customers in limited circumstances. Exemption applications will be available at Council’s customer service centres and online.

Mayor Lisa Matthews congratulated Central Coast residents on the way they have already embraced water conservation and Council’s “Live to 150L” message which encourages everyone to use a maximum of 150 litres per person per day.

“Thanks to everyone’s ongoing conservation efforts, our dam levels have only fallen gradually. This combined with good infrastructure and the introduction of restrictions, helps to reduce pressure on our water supply.

“Together we can make sure every drop counts and continue to protect our precious water supply now and in the future.”

Under Level 1 restrictions, you can reduce outdoor water use by:

• using a watering can, bucket or a hose with a trigger nozzle
• only watering gardens and lawns before 10am or after 4pm 
• washing vehicles on the lawn 
• sweeping instead of washing paths, driveways and buildings.

You must not use fixed sprinklers and micro sprays. 

For further information about restrictions including eligibility for exemptions, visit information about saving water both indoors and outdoors, visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/water-restrictions.