Australia announces water restrictions amid record-breaking drought

Sydney on Tuesday (May 28) announced its first major water restrictions in a decade, putting limits on homes and businesses amid a record-breaking 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 June 1.

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.

The New South Wales government said the greater Sydney region water catchments were experiencing some of the lowest flows since the 1940s, and that the restrictions would be enforced from next week.

"Regional NSW has been experiencing a record drought," the southeastern state's minister for water Melinda Pavey said in a statement.

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

"Water restrictions in Sydney mean that households across NSW are doing their bit to conserve water."

People in Sydney can be fined up to A$220 (US$150) or businesses up to A$550 for leaving a hose running or using a sprinkler system to water their gardens.

Australia sweated through its hottest-ever summer from last December to February.

The country's water management was a hot-button issue in the recent election following mass fish kills in the Murray-Darling River system, which authorities blamed on low water flow and oxygen levels.

Scientists said the severe drought plaguing inland eastern Australia had contributed to the deaths.

Australia is no stranger to extreme weather patterns, with bushfires, floods and drought often occurring during the summer months.