The following information has been taken from the “Sydney Water” website and is provided as a guide only. Please ensure that you check with Sydney Water as to the current restrictions and possible exemptions.

New Level 3 mandatory water restrictions now apply across Sydney, Illawarra and the Blue Mountains from June 2005.

The following mandatory restrictions now apply to all Sydney Water customers including residents, businesses, local councils and government agencies.

• No hosing of lawns and gardens except hand-held hosing BEFORE 10.00 AM and AFTER 4.00 PM on Wednesday and Sundays.
• No filling of NEW or RENOVATED pools greater than 10,000L except with a permit from Sydney Water.
• No sprinklers or watering systems AT ANY TIME
• No hosing of hard surfaces including vehicles AT ANY TIME
Hard surfaces include paths, driveways, floors and buildings. Vehicles include cars, trucks, trailers, caravans, motorcycles and boats.

Drip irrigation, bore water, grey water, recycled water and water used for fire fighting and related activities are excluded from the restrictions.

Fines of $220 apply for customers found to be in breach of the mandatory water restrictions.

Exemptions may apply for some water use. Customers seeking exemptions should apply via the Sydney Water site. All exemptions are subject to change, following regular reviews as the drought progresses.

The following are still permitted at anytime:

• Using a bucket or watering can to wash and rinse vehicles or water lawns and gardens.
• Topping up any existing swimming pool.
• Filling a pool less than 10,000L capacity.
• Using water from a rainwater tank, as long as it is not connected to a Sydney Water main.
• Using a hose with a trigger nozzle or high pressure cleaning device to clean boat bilges and boat trailer brakes and wheels.
• Using a hose to flush boat engines.
• Cleaning garbage bins using a hose fitted with a trigger nozzle or with an on/off switch. This should be done within an official bin wash area or on grass.

Note: A sprinkler is an attachment to a garden hose or fixed pipe that can be left unattended to emit water over a given area. Sprinklers are not permitted at any time.
Hoses must not be left unattended at any time.

A watering system is a fixed or permanent system having either single or multiple watering zones and is controlled by a manual tap, electronic or mechanical timer. Watering systems (other than drip irrigation systems) are not permitted at any time.

Update June 2004:

NEW TURF EXEMPTION FOR RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS

Residential customers are generally not eligible to apply for exemptions from the mandatory water restrictions. A limited exemption has been granted to some customers with brand new homes. This exemption is subject to change, following regular reviews, as the drought progresses.

Residential customers should not apply online for this exemption, but should contact
Sydney Water on 13 20 92 during business hours and select ‘Option 2 for Water Restrictions’.

The information on this page has been taken from the “Sydney Water” website and is provided as a guide only. Please ensure that you check with Sydney Water as to the current restrictions and possible exemptions.