The impacts of the drought are being felt locally, with Kempsey Shire Council forced to implement Level 1 water restrictions.
From today, residents are being asked to reduce their water usage.
It comes amid a lack of rainfall in the upper Macleay catchment area, around Armidale and Walcha.
Hand-held hoses can only be used for an hour every second day, while cars and boats have to be washed on the lawn.
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