https://www.abc.net.au/n...nsland-brisbane/11479210Water restrictions on the radar for south-east Queensland as dam levels drop
By Talissa Siganto
Posted about 5 hours ago
PHOTO: Water was released from a full Wivenhoe Dam in 2015. (ABC News: Gordon Fuad)
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Almost a decade has passed since south-east Queensland experienced extreme drought conditions, but the region's water authority has warned falling dam levels could see water restrictions return as early as next year.
Key points:
Wivenhoe Dam is down to just 53 per cent, the lowest level since the Millennium Drought
The average south-east Queenslander is currently using about 186 litres of water per day
The BOM says dry spring forecast, same as last year
The region's combined water grid capacity is currently sitting at just over 65 per cent, with Wivenhoe Dam, north-west of Brisbane, down to just 53 per cent.
Seqwater spokeswoman Sophie Walker said this was the lowest it had dropped since the Millennium Drought, where from late 1996 to mid-2010 much of southern Australia experienced dry conditions.
"We saw a hot, dry summer, we saw consumption of water almost increased to around 30 to 40 litres across the region," Ms Walker said.
PHOTO: The view across Wivenhoe Dam during drought in 2007 and after the drought broke in 2009. (ABC News: Giulio Saggin)
The average south-east Queenslander is currently using about 186 litres of water per day but that number is expected to climb coming into the warmer months.
Ms Walker said there was still "a way to go" but if dam levels continued to plunge, water restrictions would need to be considered.
"We're really looking at this wet season to understand whether we'll see rainfall back to what we usually see during the summer months."
Another dry summer ahead
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has predicted the region would get lower-than-average falls during spring.
PHOTO: Water pours from a floodgate at Wivenhoe Dam, days after the 2011 flood. (ABC News: Kerrin Binnie)
BOM climatologist Jonathan Pollock said the south-east was also expected to experience the same dry conditions seen this time last year.
He said there was only a slim chance the dry conditions would not eventuate.
"There's roughly a one-in-four chance that you'll have a wetter than normal season," he said.
Ms Walker said now was a good time for residents to start thinking about their water usage.
"I think there's an understanding of the importance of being water-wise, particularly during dry times and during drought … but before we get to there, we want people to be as water efficient as they can be," Ms Walker said.
