South-east Queenslanders are using almost 30 extra litres of water a day than they were 12 months ago, as a very hot, dry summer season approaches.

A record hot, dry winter in the region, which followed a hot, dry summer, has triggered a big increase in water consumption as dam levels begin to fall to "drought awareness" stage.

Wivenhoe Dam, pictured here during last decade's drought, was at 67 per cent on Monday. Credit:Robert Rough

It means residents could soon face voluntary, but not yet mandatory, conservation efforts to restrict their water usage to 150 litres per person per day.

Those steps could be introduced early in 2018.