Some of the lowest January rainfall totals in more than a century in Tasmania are putting further pressure on water utilities and raising the prospect of tougher restrictions.
The Bureau of Meteorology recorded that Tasmania, the area-averaged rainfall total was 59 per cent below average, the seventh-lowest on record since national observations started in 1900, and the lowest since 2019.
This has meant stage 2 water restrictions will come into effect for Orford and Triabunna in eastern Tasmania from Friday, February 27, as ongoing dry conditions continue to reduce water levels at Prosser Dam.
TasWater Head of Communications and Engagement Liz Hafner said continued low rainfall and declining dam levels made it necessary to escalate restrictions on the state’s east coast.
“Stage 1 restrictions have been in place at Orford and Triabunna since February 2, but continued declining levels at Prosser Dam, and well below average rainfall this year have contributed to the need for escalation,” Hafner said.
Hafner said stage 2 water restrictions aim to reduce non-essential water use by 50 per cent by encouraging more conscious use of water.
“These restrictions are focused outside of the home and include changes such as allocated days for watering gardens and sports grounds, and with the watering of lawns no longer permitted,” she said.
“This will mean a change to the routines of some residents, but these changes will significantly boost the amount of water available in the system.”
Water restrictions have also come into effect in Victora, with North East Water calling on Yackandandah residents to voluntarily reduce household water use from now until 13 March 2026.
“Yackandandah typically uses around 700,000 litres of water per day over summer, but recently, demand has climbed to as high as 1.3 million litres. Our goal for the next four weeks is to bring daily use back down to the usual level of 700,000 litres,” said North East Water General Manager Operations, Systems and Environment, John Day.
TasWater will constantly monitor local conditions. Once consistent rain and stronger river flows occur, restrictions will be lifted.
“There is a common misconception that Tasmania has an inexhaustible supply of water. But that supply is vulnerable to the changing climate and our state’s growing population,” Hafner said.
“We have been asked by the community to play a greater role in conservation education. We are here to help everyone play an active role in water-saving solutions. Using less water now helps protect local supplies while longer-term infrastructure upgrades continue.”
