THE current drought situation affecting regions across the state has forced the Southern Downs Regional Council to place Stanthorpe residents on high level water restrictions.

Storm King Dam is currently only 57% full, which is still a long way from the 17% capacity reached in 2007.

Council statistics date back to 1968 and a similar dam level (50%) was reached in August of 2005.

The level continued to fall until November of 2007, and the dam was never full between 2001 and 2008.

Tougher water restrictions will come into play from Monday.

The high level restrictions mean residents can water outside (using water from one tap or a handheld hose) for one hour between 5-6pm during September and from 6-7pm from October onwards three times a week.

The days for watering are Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday for odd street numbers and Saturday, Monday and Wednesday for even street numbers.

Residents will be restricted to 170 litres per person per day and lawns are not allowed to be watered.

To find out more about the tougher water restrictions, visit the Southern Downs Regional Council website.

Click on the About Council tab and then click on the latest water restrictions tab.

Scroll down and open the drought management plan. You can also phone the council on 1300MYSDRC.