Water restrictions will be enforced in Sydney this Saturday for the first time in a decade.
All hoses will have to be fitted with a trigger nozzle or an attachment which has an instant off switch, and they can only be used to water gardens before 10:00am or after 4:00pm.
"Basically with the lack of rain, with the lowest inflows into Sydney water storages since 1940, the Government has come to the decision that it is best to go into water restrictions," Water Minister Melinda Pavey said.
The watering of hard surfaces, such as paths and driveways, will be prohibited, so too will the use of sprinkler systems.
Car washing needs to be done with a bucket or by using a hose with a trigger nozzle.
"We have all improved our behaviours around water conservation, but there is always more we can do," Ms Pavey said.
For those who do not comply there will be fines.
Residents will be slapped with a $220 penalty — for businesses that figure increases to $550.
Sydney Water officers will be patrolling the streets and can issues fines.
There will be a three-month grace period from Saturday.
Restrictions earlier than expected
Introducing water restrictions at this time means the State Government has decided to go earlier than expected.
Level one water restrictions were set to come into force when dam levels drop to less than 50 per cent — they are currently at 53.6 per cent.
But the move is seen as a response to the ongoing drought.
Most of Greater Sydney is drought-affected, while the majority of the state remains in drought.
The Government has already attempted to boost Sydney's water levels this year.
It turned on the city's desalination plant in Kurnell when dam levels reached 60 per cent in January.
The last water restrictions were lifted in Sydney in June 2009.
