Water restrictions

In most states and Territories water restrictions can be in force. The local governments sets the rules about how water can be used by households and companies but it basically comes down that you are not allowed to water your garden and wash your car daily as well that you are asked to save water in your daily activities like showering and washing.

Water restrictions are done in stages and there are five stages:

Stage 1:

You are only allowed to sprinkle your garden manually between 6 and 8 am and between 8 and 10 pm on specified days*, and automated sprinklers can only be used between midnight and 4 am on specified days*. Hand held hoses with a trigger nozzle, a bucket or a watering can may be used at any time. Hosing of pavement is banned.

It is allowed to clean your car with a bucket, a high pressure cleaning device or a commercial car wash at any time.

Stage 2:

Watering of lawns is banned. Manual sprinklers in the garden are only allowed between 6 and 8 am and between 8 and 10 pm on specified days*, and automated sprinklers are only allowed between midnight and 4 am on specified days*. Hand held hoses with a trigger nozzle, a bucket or a watering can may be used at any time. Hosing of pavement is banned.

A hand-held hose cannot be used any time for vehicle washing. A bucket, watering can, high pressure cleaning device or commercial car wash can be used.

Stage 3:

Watering of lawns is banned. The garden can be watered only as required by a manual dripping system or a hand-held hose fitted with a trigger mechanism between 6 and 8 am and 8 – 10 pm on specified days*, or an automated dripper system only as required between midnight – 4am; on specified days*. A sprinkler system is not allowed and hosing of pavement is banned. You can only wash your car in a commercial car wash or with a bucket of water for cleaning windows, lights and mirrors.

Stage 3a:

Gardens can be watered on specified watering days* only in the morning. A hand-held hose fitted with trigger nozzle, a watering can, bucket and manual dripper system can be used to water between 6 and 8 am. An automatic dripper system can be used to water between midnight and 2.00am.

It is not allowed hosing pavements, lawns and use sprinkler systems. You can only wash your car in a commercial car wash or with a bucket of water for cleaning windows, lights and mirrors.

Stage 4:

Outside watering is banned and vehicles can only be washed for health and safety reasons.

Even and odd house numbers have different days they can water their gardens.

More info

Every state and territory that has water restrictions are in different stages and also the various councils within the states and territories can have different stages. Your council and water providing company can inform you about restrictions that are in force and provide more detailed information about what the restrictions mean.

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