REDLANDS residents are consuming about 30 more litres of water a day than this time last year, despite south-east Queensland dams dropping to their lowest levels since the Millennium Drought.
Seqwater's latest figures show Redlanders were the second-highest water users in the south-east this month at 230 litres per person per day, behind the Gold Coast at 233 litres.
The Leslie Harrison dam dropped below 60 per cent this week and combined south-east dam levels are at their lowest in more than 10 years.
Mayor Karen Williams said it was time for Redlands residents to think about how they were using their water.
"The Redlands was one of the first places that had water restrictions many years ago so we were used to that regime of not watering our yards every day," she said.
"Our neighbours Stanthorpe and Warwick in particular are facing tough times it would be wise for people to be more cautious about their water consumption."
A Seqwater survey showed 35 per cent of people reported they were unaware of how much water they used and more than 40 per cent said they did not get enough information on how to save water.
But 70 per cent said they were concerned about future water shortages and 90 per cent would comply with water restrictions if they had to.
Local councils, including Redland City Council, have partnered with the state government and Seqwater in a campaign calling on people to reduce their water usage.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the community had a vital role to play in helping manage the region's drinking water supply.
"Two thirds of our state is in drought and over the past few years we have seen below-average inflows into the 40 dams and reservoirs that make up the south-east Queensland water grid," she said.
"There are simple things we can all do now that don't impact on our lifestyle but can make a big difference in conserving water.
"For example, checking household plumbing for leaks, not watering in the heat of the day and remembering to put your pool cover on when the pool's not being used.
"South-east Queenslanders stepped up during the Millennium Drought and played their part. They reduced consumption from 300 litres of water per person per day to as low as 120 litres of water per person per day just by being waterwise."
The weather bureau is forecasting a hot, dry summer with below-average rainfall.
Natural Resources Minister Anthony Lynham said after the Millennium Drought people said they wanted to be warned early about the potential for another big dry so that they could respond early.
"That is why we are talking with SEQ now rather than after the wet season," he said.
