SYDNEY, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- With the east coast of Australia in the midst of the worst drought on record, around a dozen major population centres are now facing the possibility they will run out of water.
In what many are referring to as "day zero," experts and officials predict there may only be around six months of water left in the rivers, lakes and tanks.
Staring down the barrel of having to deliver water by freight for basic necessities like washing and drinking, council Members in the outback town of Dubbo have decided to take immediate action by enforcing tough new water restrictions, including one five-minute shower per day for residents.
"The Dubbo Region has already introduced voluntary level-two restrictions but unfortunately as the drought situation worsens across the entire state it is now time to increase these restrictions," Dubbo Mayor Ben Shields said on Monday evening.
Under the level-four restrictions to be brought in on Nov. 1, the watering of lawns will be outlawed as will the washing of walls and hard surfaces, while the watering of gardens, filling pools, use of laundry machines and bathing will all be regulated to reduce wastage.
Residents will also only be permitted to one bath or one five-minute shower per day, with a breach of the restrictions potentially resulting in hefty fines.
"Level-four restrictions will result in a significant cut to the amount of outdoor water usage and I would encourage residents to familiarize themselves with the changes," Dubbo Regional Council's Chief Executive Officer Michael McMahon said.
To make matters worse for the rural community of 40,000, the latest forecasts from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology predict the vast majority of the Australian continent, including Dubbo, has an 80 percent chance of exceeding average temperatures this summer, with just a 30 percent chance of exceeding average rainfall.
