Much of the Northern Rivers could be on water restrictions by Christmas unless there is significant rain.
The Rous County Council says it will introduce level one water restrictions when Rocky Creek Dam reaches 70 per cent capacity.
The threshold is a change from the usual trigger for level one restrictions of 60 per cent.
The dam is the primary source for around 100,000 people connected to town water in the Byron, Ballina, Richmond Valley and Lismore Local Government Areas, except in Mullumbimby, Wardell and Nimbin.
Water carters servicing off-grid customers in the same LGAs also rely on the dam for supply.
The dam was at 81 per cent capacity as of the latest update on Monday but Rous says if current consumption rates continue alongside forecasts of continued hot and dry weather, level one water restrictions are expected to be enacted before Christmas.
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