Health Services Information Sheet 35

Watering restrictions for Households

All homes in Perth, Mandurah, Bridgetown, Boyup Brook, Hester, Mullalyup, Kirup, Greenbushes, Balingup, Pinjarra and along the Goldfields Pipeline have been allocated two specific days each week when watering with sprinklers or reticulation systems is allowed. This is based on the last digit of your house or lot number.

Daylight saving will not affect the allowed garden watering times. Gardens can be watered by reticulation on your allocated days during either but not both the morning (before 9am) or the evening (after 6pm). You may need to adjust your reticulation system if it is set close to these times.

The water restrictions now in place don't just affect our gardens. The level of restrictions is governed by a set of by-laws that prescribe how we can use water outside. To make it easier for you to keep to the rules we've provided a simple list of the things you can and can't do with water during the current restrictions.

You can:

Water lawns and gardens using reticulation systems that distribute water through sprinklers or drippers only on your two allocated watering days, either once in the morning before 9 am or once in the evening after 6 pm. Your two watering days are allocated according to your house number. Water lawns and gardens with a hand held hose at any time so long as the hose only has one outlet. However, it is much more beneficial to plants if you water them early in the morning.
Use a watering can at any time.
Only hose or spray buildings, paths and paved areas to:

Fight fires;
Avoid a threat to health, for example cleaning a chemical spillage, and
Construct or repair buildings, paved areas and roads.

Replace swimming pool water lost through evaporation and usage to the minimum extent needed to maintain the pool's proper functioning.
Fill a new swimming pool or spa.
Wash your car on the lawn rather then the driveway and always use a trigger hose.
Only test your reticulation outside your allowed watering days and times following repairs to the pipe work. However:

Testing is limited to a maximum of two minutes per station;
You must be in attendance in the garden area where the sprinklers are operating; and
Inspectors will ask to view repairs.

You can't:

Run your reticulation outside your allowed watering days or times to:

See if the system is operating or adjust sprays on sprinklers.
Water gardens and lawns using reticulation systems that distribute water through sprinklers and drippers in both the morning and evening on your allocated watering days.
Water lawns and gardens using reticulation systems that distribute water through sprinklers and drippers between the hours of 9am and 6pm on a non-rostered day.
Clean driveways, walls or windows of buildings with a hose. Use a broom, sponge or squeegee with a bucket of water instead.

However, if you are establishing a lawn or garden you may apply for an exemption in order for it to become fully established. Call 13 13 85 for more information.

Monitoring

We have a number of uniformed staff who will monitor the restrictions on a full time basis. They are in contact with our Customer Centre and will respond to calls from the public who notify us of breaches of the restrictions.

We encourage members of the public to let us know of breaches so we can contact the home owner and take appropriate action.

If you have noticed someone watering outside of their designated days, call the Waterwise Helpline on 13 1039 who will be able to assist you.

The use of garden bores is managed by the Department of Water. The Department of Water does not allow anyone with a garden bore to water between the hours of 9am to 6pm. However, the use of garden bores is not restricted to use on certain days of the week. Contact the Department of Water on 6250 8001 if you notice someone watering outside of these guidelines. The Water Corporation recommends that customers continue to water wisely.

See more information sheets >>>