Almost a decade has passed since South East Queensland experienced extreme drought conditions, but the region's water authority has warned falling dam levels could see water restrictions return as early as next year.
The region's combined water grid capacity is currently sitting at just over 65 per cent, with Wivenhoe Dam, north-west of Brisbane, down to just 53 per cent.
Seqwater spokeswoman Sophie Walker said this was the lowest it had dropped since the Millennium Drought, where from late 1996 to mid-2010 much of southern Australia experienced dry conditions.
"We saw a hot, dry summer, we saw consumption of water almost increased to around 30 to 40 litres across the region," Ms Walker said.
The average South East Queenslander is currently using about 186 litres of water per day but that number is expected to climb coming into the warmer months.
Ms Walker said there was still "a way to go" but if dam levels continued to plunge, water restrictions would need to be considered.
"Broadly looking at towards the middle of next year, that we would see our combined dam levels around the 50 per cent mark and that's where we would consider mandatory restrictions," Ms Walker said.
"We're really looking at this wet season to understand whether we'll see rainfall back to what we usually see during the summer months."
Another dry summer ahead
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has predicted the region would get lower-than-average falls during spring.
BOM climatologist Jonathan Pollock said the south-east was also expected to experience the same dry conditions seen this time last year.
"We're likely to see a drier-than-average spring and at the same time, it's very likely we will have warmer than usual days and nights," Mr Pollock said.
He said there was only a slim chance the dry conditions would not eventuate.
"There's roughly a one-in-four chance that you'll have a wetter than normal season," he said.
Ms Walker said now was a good time for residents to start thinking about their water usage.
"I think there's an understanding of the importance of being water-wise, particularly during dry times and during drought … but before we get to there, we want people to be as water efficient as they can be," Ms Walker said.
