WATER restrictions have hit farmers and households and more are likely to come as both the state government and Ben Lomond Water respond to low rainfall.

Yesterday Ben Lomond introduced stage 1 water restrictions at Bracknell with the aim of reducing water usage by up to 20 per cent.

Company chief executive Barry Cash said the restrictions would have little impact on residents.

``They are designed to minimise unnecessary water consumption during peak daily demand periods but to have little impact on the amenity of residential and community assets,'' he said.

``We are asking affected customers to conserve water and show consideration to other users,'' he said.

The company initiated the restrictions after the Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment Department placed an irrigation ban on the Liffey River.

The department has also placed irrigation restrictions on the South Esk River and its tributaries excluding St Pauls River.

Up to 80 farmers are affected by the restrictions and may be required to use water in on-farm dams or from irrigation schemes.

``In the absence of significant rain, it is likely that further restrictions will be necessary over the coming weeks,'' department water resources operations manager Alan Johnston said.

``Seasonal restrictions on the taking of water during summer are not unusual.''

Minimal rainfall over the last month has resulted in low flows in many streams across the North.

Already partial or full restrictions on pumping for irrigation purposes have been implemented for the Great Forester River, South Esk River, Liffey River, St Pauls River, Western Creek and a number of creeks in the Sassafras Wesley Vale area.

Failure to comply with the conditions of an irrigation water restriction can result in prosecution.