From 1st June 2019 Level 1 water restrictions were put in place. If you fail to comply with the Level 1 water restrictions fines of $220 apply to individuals and $550 for businesses. There is a three-month grace period before fines apply. Fines won’t be issued until after 1 September 2019.
During the last drought, Sydney Water regularly patrolled the streets with water restriction patrol officers.
What are you permitted to do?
| Activity | What can you do? | What can’t you do? |
| Watering lawns & gardens
|
You can:
water lawns and gardens with a watering can or bucket water lawns and gardens by hand held hose before 10 am or after 4 pm, as long as your hose is fitted with a trigger nozzle water your garden with drip irrigation systems water lawns and gardens with watering systems with one or more of these features:
water new turf for one week after it’s delivered as long as you follow the instructions provided by the turf supplier |
You can’t:
use standard sprinklers and watering systems at any time; or leave hoses running unattended |
| Cleaning vehicles & buildings
|
You can:
wash vehicles and buildings with a bucket, a hose fitted with a trigger nozzle or high pressure cleaning equipment; clean garbage bins and bin wash bays using a hose fitted with a trigger nozzle or high pressure cleaning equipment; flush boat engines; and/or clean bilges and essential safety components on boat trailers such as brakes and wheels using a hose fitted with a trigger nozzle or high pressure cleaning equipment |
You can’t:
wash vehicles and buildings with a hose that isn’t fitted with a trigger nozzle or high pressure cleaning equipment; or leave hoses running unattended |
| Filling pools and spas
|
You can:
top up an existing pool or spa to replace water lost through evaporation; and/or fill a new or renovated pool or spa if you have a permit and pool cover from your pool supplier |
|
| Cleaning hard surfaces (paths & driveways)
|
You can:
spot clean hard surfaces for health, safety or emergency reasons only using a hose fitted with a trigger nozzle or high pressure cleaning equipment |
You can’t:
clean hard surfaces such as paths, driveways and paved areas with a hose as part of general cleaning; or leave hoses running unattended |
What Can You Do At Home To Save Water?
Check for leaking pipes
Check for leaking pipes and repair them as soon as possible. In many homes you can see pipes:
- near the hot water heater
- near the washing machine
- near the dishwasher
- under flooring
- above the ceiling.
Check for leaking taps and toilets
- Fix leaking taps as soon as possible. It’s an easy way to use less water. One leaking tap can waste up to 2,000 litres a month.
- Prevent leaks by not turning taps off too hard and replace washers as soon as taps begin to leak.
- Find toilet leaks quickly by placing a sheet of dry paper at the back of the bowl. If it remains dry between flushes, there are no leaks.
Use water efficient products
- Install water efficient taps or make your current taps water efficient by installing flow regulating aerators.
- Look for a front loading washing machine with at least 4.5 stars when you buy a new washing machine.
- Choose a dishwasher with a 5-star rating for sparkling dishes and a lower water bill.
- Install a 3-star rated showerhead and you’ll save water and energy by using less hot water.
Choose water efficient behaviours
- Keep a bottle of water in the fridge for drinking instead of running the tap until the water is cool.
- Thaw food in the fridge or microwave instead of under running water.
- Wait until you have a full load in your dishwasher or washing machine and use the economy mode. This can save you water and energy.
- Wash fruit and vegies in a half-filled sink instead of running water.
- Rinse your razor in the sink. Rinsing your razor under a running tap wastes lots of water.
- Turn the tap off while you brush your teeth. Simply wet your toothbrush before you begin and use a glass of water to rinse your mouth.
Find out more about saving water in the kitchen & laundry and in the bathroom.
Report Leaks
Sydney Water wants you to report leaks as soon as you seen them. If you’ve seen water leaking in a public place, such as on a road or footpath, please tell us so we can investigate the problem. You can use Snap Send Solve.
If the problem is urgent, or you’re reporting between 11 pm and 6 am, please call 13 20 90
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