Water Restrictions Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the Illawarra
Water Restrictions Sydney, the Blue
Mountains and the Illawarra
Water restrictions apply to all houses and businesses in Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the Illawarra.
Level 1 Water Restrictions
Greywater & Recycled Water
- There are NO RESTRICTIONS on using GREYWATER, recycled water or rainwater
Gardens & Lawns
Watering cans & buckets
- Gardens can be watered before 10am or after 4pm
Drip Irrigation Systems & Smart Drip Irrigation Systems
- Can be used
NOT PERMITTED AT ANY TIME
Sprinklers
- Sprinklers and standard watering systems are not permitted at any time
- Sprinklers are not permitted for children to play under at any time
Hoses & Taps
- Leaving hoses & taps unattended is not permitted unless it is an emergency
Hard Surfaces
- Water is not permitted to run off onto surfaces such at paths or roadways
- You CANNOT clean hard surfaces such as paths, driveways or paved areas with a hose or high pressure
cleaner as a part of general cleaning
Washing your car & other vehicles
- Cars, trucks, vans, motorbikes, trailers and caravans can be washed with a bucket and sponge, hand
held hose with a FITTED TRIGGER NOZZLE or at a commercial car wash
- Boats that have been in seawater can be washed with a hose fitted with a TRIGGER NOZZLE for a maximum
of 10 minutes
Swimming Pools & Spas
- You can top up an existing pool or spa using a hose fitted with a TRIGGER NOZZLE, watering can or
bucket to replace water
lost through evaporation but NOT to replace water deliberately removed
from a pool or spa or as an alternative to fixing leaks
- You can fill a pool or spa that holds 10,000 litres of water or less
- If the pool contains more than 10,000 litres of water you need a permit and an approved pool cover or
lockable spa cover
- You CANNOT allow spas or pools to overflow when filling them up or topping them up
Pets, Animals, Birds
- You CAN provide drinking water, if you use a hose it must be fitted with a trigger nozzle
- You CAN clean or cool animals using a bucket and sponge, a hose with a trigger nozzle or a
professional animal wash service
- You CAN clean pens, yards and cages using a hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, a bucket or
high pressure cleaning equipment
- You CAN cool animal enclosures to ensure animal welfare between 6am and 9pm when temperatures inside
enclosures are above 30 °C using dedicated sprinklers
- You CAN use fogging systems, misting systems or cooling pads at any time
- You CANNOT leave hoses running at any time
- You CANNOT leave hoses running unattended
Businesses
- Businesses that use water outdoor need to apply for a permit
Level 2 Water Restrictions
Level 2 Water Restrictions take effect when dam levels are in the region of 45%. This is usually from
around mid December until the end of February but may vary.
Water restrictions apply to all houses and businesses in Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the Illawarra.
Greywater & Recycled Water - There are NO RESTRICTIONS on using GREYWATER, recycled water or rainwater
LAWNS & GARDENS
Watering cans & buckets
- Gardens can be watered before 10am or after 4pm
Drip Irrigation Systems & Smart Drip Irrigation Systems
- Can be used for a maximum of 15 minutes before 10am or after 4pm
NOT PERMITTED AT ANY TIME
Sprinklers
- Sprinklers, soaker hoses, weeping hoses and mist sprayers are not permitted at any time
- Sprinklers are not permitted for children to play under at any time
- You cannot use water toys that connect to a hose such as a ‘slip n’ slide’
Hoses & Taps
- You cannot use any kind of hose to water your garden at any time
- Leaving hoses & taps unattended is not permitted unless it is an emergency
Hard Surfaces
- Water is not permitted to run off on surfaces such at paths or roadways
- You CANNOT clean hard surfaces such as paths, driveways or paved areas with a hose or high pressure
cleaner as a part of general cleaning
Washing your car & other vehicles
- Cars, trucks, vans, motorbikes, trailers and caravans can only be washed with a bucket and sponge or
at a commercial car wash
- Boats that have been in seawater can be washed with a hose fitted with a TRIGGER NOZZLE for a maximum
of 10 minutes
Swimming Pools & Spas
- A permit is required to fill a spa or swimming pool that holds more than 500 litres
- You can top up an existing pool or spa for a maximum of 15 minutes a day for water lost through
evaporation using a hose with a fitted trigger nozzle, watering can or bucket
- You can fill a children’s pool that holds less than 500 litres of water
Ponds & water features
- Drinking water CANNOT be used to fill up new or existing ponds, lakes, fountains or other water features
- GREYWATER, recycled water, rainwater & bore water CAN be used to fill up or top up ponds or water features
Pets, Animals, Birds
- You CAN provide drinking water, if you use a hose it must be fitted with a trigger nozzle
- You CAN clean or cool animals using a bucket and sponge, a hose with a trigger nozzle or a
professional animal wash service
- You CAN clean pens, yards and cages using a hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, a bucket or
high pressure cleaning equipment
- You CAN cool animal enclosures to ensure animal welfare between 6am and 9pm when temperatures inside
enclosures are above 30°C using dedicated sprinklers
- You CAN use fogging systems, misting systems or cooling pads at any time
- You CANNOT leave hoses running at any time
Businesses
- Businesses that use water outdoors need to apply for a permit
References:
NSW Government 2019, Level 2 water restrictions will start in Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the
Illawarra on 10 December 2019, viewed 10 February 2020
<https://www.nsw.gov.au/news-and-events/news/level-2-water-restrictions-to-start-across-sydney/>
Sydney Water 2020, Water restrictions, viewed 10 February 2020
<https://www.sydneywater.com.au/SW/water-the-environment/what-we-re-doing/water-restrictions/index.htm>
Sydney Water 2020, Water restrictions, viewed 4 March 2020
<https://www.sydneywater.com.au/SW/water-the-environment/what-we-re-doing/water-restrictions/index.htm>
Images from the Noun Project: smiley face by Davo Sime, bucket by Eucalyp, sponge by Ladalle
CS, Watering Can by Edwin PM, drip irrigation by Danil Polshin, Sprinkler by Turkkub, Children by
Yeoul Kwon, Hose by Chaowalit Koetchuea, tap by Creative Stall, Curved path by Allie Tate, Car Wash
by Nhor, Boat by Nicolas LEULIET, hot tub by Juan Pablo Bravo, Swimming Pool by ProSymbols, Fountain
by Olena Panasovska, pond by Serhii Smirnov, paws by Caitlin George, Sad by RocketDiction, Garden by
Serhii Smirnov, Swimming Pool by ProSymbols.
