Minor water restrictions are being considered by Icon Water as a potential option for water security measures, despite Canberra's dams being 100 per cent full.
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While the city's water supply is at capacity due to recent heavy rainfall, relatively minor water restrictions are a possibility in the future, as opposed to having no water restrictions now but have harsher ones enforced should drought conditions return.
The measures are being put to the Canberra public by the water provider as part of community consultations.
Icon's general manager of customer engagement Davina McCormick said water security would remain a key issue in coming years.
"Whilst we plan for climate change and greater uncertainty, we still cannot predict the timing and the severity of any future drought," Ms McCormick said.
"Even though dams are full today, it's essential that the community maintain the great water saving habits that were developed during the last drought."
Currently, all four of the ACT's dams - including Corin Dam, Bendora Dam, Cotter Dam and Googong Dam - are at 100 per cent capacity.
During this time last year, dam levels were just above 80 per cent, but several months of above-average rain helped to boost water levels.
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As much as 115 millimetres fell in the ACT in June this year, almost three times the monthly average, while 133 millimetres were recorded in October last year.
The current dam conditions are a far cry from the beginning of 2020, where drought conditions had reached the worst-case scenario for Canberra's water.
Previous plans considered by Icon Water in 2018 had shown Canberra would most likely not go into water restrictions for at least 20 years, but those plans were quickly revised following dry weather and low rainfall.
Ms McCormick said talks with the public about how water would be managed going forward while dam levels were high were critical.
"We are developing our water safety plans around three key response levers: source water management, demand management and supply options, to ensure we are prepared for any future conditions," she said.
"Last year, we launched our Care for Water campaign, which saw our community decide what water savings habits they could implement today, rather than having temporary water restrictions dictate that.
"We also want to know which options the ACT community consider priorities for our contribution to sustainability and liveability in the coming years."
Higher-than average rainfall was recorded in the ACT during last year's spring, and similar conditions are expected for this year's season.
The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast for above average falls across the ACT and NSW.
Spring will begin on Wednesday, but rain is not expected for the first few days of the season, with sunny conditions and a top of 22 expected for September 1.
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