At least 13 towns across central Victoria could face water restrictions next year as reservoirs continue to drop to the lowest levels since the millennium drought and the state prepares for a hot and dry summer.

The release of water security outlooks by Victoria’s water corporations shows a number of towns facing the possibility of water restrictions over summer if dry conditions continue.

Residents of the following towns are among those being warned to brace for water shortages: Kyneton, Maldon, Newstead, Elphinston, Tylden, Taradale, Daylesford, Hepburn, Hepburn Springs, Castlemaine, Romsey, Lancefield and Woodend.

The towns are among those connected to 23 urban supply systems in the state facing the possibility of low level water restrictions next year.

The outlooks show that while about three quarters of the state’s urban water supply systems have supplies that will see them avoid restrictions – particularly those connected to the water grid – about one quarter may require water restrictions over summer, if demands are high under dry and worst case scenarios.

Coliban Water raw water supply manager said Steve Healy restrictions were unlikely in Bendigo, Castlemaine, Kyneton, Maldon, Newstead, Elphinstone, Tylden or Taradale over summer.  

“It is more of an autumn concern for our systems,” he said.

“The forecasts were for a hot and dry spring and summer and certainly that has eventuated in spring.”

“It’s possible evaporation over summer will mean storage systems drop to a point which triggers a review of whether to impose restrictions in autumn.”

The record spring temperatures have already seen reservoirs in central Victoria drop significantly over the last 12 months. Cairn Curran Reservoir currently sits at 24.2 per cent of capacity, down from 53.62 last year, while Lake Eppalock – which has supplied Bendigo with water since 2014 – sits at 34.54 per cent, down from 58.78 per cent last year.

But Healy said Bendigo’s water supplies remained secure. 

“Bendigo hasn’t been listed as facing a potential shortfall because it has quite a few options, it can also be supplied by Lake Eildon, for example, which really helps its water security.

“Bendigo is in a very different position to Castlemaine and some of the other systems it surrounds – Bendigo’s water security is quite strong and we certainly aren’t looking to impose restrictions over the next 12 months.”

Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water Lisa Neville said on Tuesday that the state government was working with water corporations on contingency measures and a drought preparedness statement would be released in coming weeks.

“Continuing dry conditions are placing significant stress on local communities and we are working hard on improving water access and increasing security of supply in the future,” she said.

“While Victoria is well placed to cope with drought, we want to have a conversation about the best use of the Victorian water grid to meet the challenges of dry conditions, climate change and population growth.”

A full list of the at risk water supply system and the towns they is:

Water supply system: Towns supplied

Colac: Colac, Irrewarra, Beeac, Cressy, Coragulac, Alvie, Pirron Yallock

Amphitheatre: Amphitheatre

Daylesford: Daylesford, Hepburn and Hepburn Springs

Coliban Southern: Castlemaine, Kyneton, Maldon, Newstead, Elphinstone, Tylden and Taradale

Briagolong: Briagolong

Erica/Rawson: Erica/Rawson

Mirboo North: Mirboo North

Seaspray: Seaspray

Tarago (Warragul/Drouin): Warragul, Drouin and Neerim South

Seven Creeks: Euroa and Violet Town

Delatite River: Mansfield

Steavenson River System: Marysville and Buxton

Upper Delatite: Merrijig and Sawmill Settlement

Corryong: Corryong and Cudgewa

Goorambat: Goorambat

Fish Creek: Fish Creek

Korumburra: Korumburra

Little Bass: Poowong, Loch, Nyora

Anges River: Toora, Welshpool, Port Welshpool

Tarra River: Devon North, Yarram, Alberton, Port Albert

Romsey: Romsey

Lancefield: Lancefield

Woodend: Woodend