As drought persists, Australia restricts water use in populous state

A truck stirs up dust on a road behind a dam on farmer May McKeown's drought-affected property located on the outskirts of the northwestern New South Wales town of Walgett in Australia, July 19, 2018. Reuters

SYDNEY (Reuters): Australia’s most populous state of New South Wales on Tuesday imposed water restrictions for the first time in a decade with dam levels at just over 50% due to a prolonged drought.

The country’s east coast has suffered through two years of below average rainfall, devastating agricultural production and stoking a political debate over the impact of climate change.

With the drought showing no sign of abating, state authorities said residents can only water their lawns and gardens between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Washing of hard surfaces such as driveways will be prohibited from 1 June. New South Wales, home to about a third of Australia’s 25 million people and its biggest city Sydney, last imposed water restrictions in 2009.

New South Wales Water Minister Melinda Pavey said the latest outlook for dry, hot conditions had forced the government’s hand. “The Bureau of Meteorology’s latest forecast is predicting below-average rainfall and higher temperatures for June to August, which are key drivers of stronger water demand,” Pavey said in a statement.

Dam levels in the state are now just over 50%, down sharply from 96% in April 2017, she said.