The harshest water restrictions in a decade will come into effect in Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the Illawarra tomorrow.

The level two restrictions haven’t been in effect in Sydney since the Millennium Drought. Sprinklers and hoses have been completely banned under the new rules.

People will only be allowed to water their gardens with a watering can or bucket before 10am or after 4pm.

Pools can only be topped up for 15 minutes a day using a hose with a trigger nozzle, and cars can only be washed with a bucket.

Those who don’t comply with the rules will be slapped with a $220 fine, with businesses facing a $550 fine.

With the drought only getting worse, Level 2 restrictions will be in place from 10 December.
Fines will apply, so find out how restrictions apply to you https://t.co/Q8r7vYurfb pic.twitter.com/VX3Wfqmfnb

— Sydney Water (@SydneyWaterNews) November 21, 2019

NSW Water Minister Melinda Pavey tells Mark Levy we’re in “unchartered territory”.

“We’ve never seen a drought in the north basin as bad as this, but now it’s hitting the south coast and north coast.

“We have to be prepared and we have to manage for the worst-case scenario.”

Click PLAY below to hear the full interview

Image: Getty/Guido Mieth