A dramatic spike in the number of people being dobbed in for suspected water misuse has been linked to increased anxiety amid ongoing dry conditions.
Public tip offs to the state's water regulator significantly increased as NSW recorded its second driest April on record.
The state's Natural Resources Access Regulator, which is tasked with ensuring license holders comply with water laws, typically receives between 50 and 60 public tip-offs about suspected water misuse each month.
But following record low rainfall, that number jumped to 84 in February, 88 in March, and 72 in April.
"When conditions are dry, there is a heightened anxiety amongst the community and the scrutiny does increase," the regulator's chief Grant Barnes said.
"If you take more than your share, you're taking it off your neighbour, your community, the environment".
