Permanent water saving rules

Hoses must be leak free with a trigger nozzle for all uses, including washing cars and gardens. Trigger nozzles ensure less water is wasted.

Home and commercial gardens can only be watered between 6pm and 10am when using watering systems, to avoid the hottest part of the day.

You can water gardens at any time using a hand-held hose, watering can or bucket.

Water cannot be used to clean hard surfaces such as concrete, paths and driveways. Exemptions apply when cleaning is needed to address a hazard, surface staining or during construction.

In these situations, a high-pressure water cleaning device must be used if one is available. Otherwise, a hand-held hose or a bucket can be used.

Swapping to a broom will save a lot of water from being washed down the drain.

Public green spaces can only be watered between 6 pm and 10 am using watering systems fitted with rain or soil moisture sensors, to avoid the hottest part of the day and watering when it’s not needed.

OR

in accordance with an approved Water Use Plan.

They can, however, be watered anytime using a hand-held hose, watering can or bucket.

All fountains and other water features must recirculate water.

While the rules restrict water use, they are a basic form of water restrictions and are enforceable by law. However, unlike staged water restrictions, permanent water saving rules apply all year and do not have an end date.

These rules help conserve our water supply for the future.

A high-pressure water cleaner is an electric or petrol-powered device that connects to a hose and uses high pressure to clean surfaces.

The water flow rate must be 9 litres per minute or less.

A watering system is an automatic or manually operated system of sprinklers, drip hoses, weep hoses etc.

The most efficient watering system is a sub-surface drip hose connected to a timer to water overnight. This system ensures plants get water near their roots and minimises water loss through evaporation.

It is more efficient to water your garden when the sun goes down. Lower evaporation means more water reaches plant roots.

Water can only be used to clean hard surfaces when:

• cleaning is required due to an accident, fire, health hazard, safety hazard or other emergency; or

• staining has developed and only once a season; or

• during construction or renovation

and only if you are using:

• a high pressure water cleaning device; or

• a hand-held hose or a bucket, if a high pressure water cleaning device is not available

Permanent Water Saving Rules apply only to mains water supplied through our water supply network.

No, these rules do not apply during a fire emergency.

Yes, you can still wash your windows.

Cars, boats and other vehicles can be washed at home at any time or on any day using:

• a high-pressure water cleaner; or

• a hose fitted with a trigger nozzle; or

• a bucket or watering can.

The same rules apply to car dealerships.

There are no restrictions on filling or topping up pools, spas or ponds under these rules.

Breaching the Permanent Water Saving Rules can result in fines.

For your first offence you may be fined over 10 penalty units and for any further offence over 20 penalty units.

These Permanent Water Saving Rules are enforced under the Water Act (1989)

If you witness someone breaking these rules, please contact us with details of the offence. An authorised water officer will investigate the matter.

Official warnings and on-the-spot fines may be issued for breaches. In more serious cases, prosecution may be pursued.

A Water Use Plan outlines the measures planned or already in place to help save water.

It sets out how water will be used for specific purposes or during particular stages of water restrictions, helping maximise water savings when restrictions are in place.

A Water Use Plan must be approved by us before any exemption from these rules can be considered.

Yes. Water can be used at any time for:

• human health requirements

• stock and animal health requirements

• fire fighting

• the safety of vehicles or equipment (but not cleaning)

In some circumstances, you may ask for an exemption from certain Permanent Water Saving Rules or from a stage of water restrictions. These exemptions may require a Water Use Plan.

Applications for exemptions can be made from residential customers, on behalf of a business, company, industry or commercial or industrial organisation; or on behalf of a council, public or private school, a sportsground, a public garden or a tennis club.

Applications for an exemption must be submitted using this form. We will assess the application within a reasonable timeframe and either approve it (subject to any conditions we conside appropriate) or refuse it.