The history of Water Wise Rules

Water Wise Rules: were announced on 21 June 2009 to begin the next day. They were introduced as dam storage levels had been around 60% for 12 months.

Water Wise Rules are simple, common sense actions that apply to all Sydney Water customers in Sydney, the Illawarra and the Blue Mountains. This includes residents, businesses, local councils and goverment agencies. They are:

• All hoses must now have a trigger nozzle.
• To avoid the heat of the day, watering is allowed before 10am and after 4pm.
• No hosing of hard surfaces such as paths and driveways. Washing vehicles is allowed.
• Fire hoses must only be used for fire fighting activities only.

Fines of $220 for all breaches of water saving rules by individuals still apply. Businesses face a fine of $550 for each breach. Fines of $2,200 for water theft also apply.

These rules, together with more recycling projects and desalination coming on line, means greater Sydney is in a stronger position. However, continuing to be water wise makes good sense.

Level 3 water restrictions: changes were introduced 21 June 2008

Sydney Water residential customers were permitted to wash cars, boats and caravans at home with a hose as long as a trigger nozzle is fitted. They were also able to clean the windows and walls of their house with a hose as long as a trigger nozzle is fitted.

All other restrictions still applied:

• Hand held hosing of lawns and gardens and drip irrigation is allowed only on Wednesdays and Sundays before 10 am and after 4 pm.
• No other water systems or sprinklers are to be used at any time.
• A permit from Sydney Water is required to fill new or renovated pools bigger than 10,000 litres.
• No hoses or taps are to be left running unattended except when filling pools.
• Fire hoses must only be used for fire fighting purposes only – not for cleaning.
• No hosing of hard surfaces at any time excluding vehicles washed at home.

Level 3 water restrictions: introduced 1 June 2005 when dam levels dropped below 40 per cent.

Restrictions included:

1. No hosing of hard surfaces.
2. No sprinklers or watering systems.
3. Hosing of lawns and gardens only allowed on Wednesdays and Sundays before 10am and after 4pm.
4. No filling of new or renovated pools over 10,000L except with a permit from Sydney Water.
5. No hoses or taps to be left running unattended, except when filling pools or containers.
6. Fire hoses used only for fire fighting purposes - not for cleaning.

Level 2 water restrictions: introduced 1 June 2004 when dam levels dropped below 50 per cent.

Restrictions included:

1. No hosing of hard surfaces.
2. No sprinklers or watering systems.
3. No hosing of lawns and gardens except hand-held hosing before 9am and after 5pm on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
4. No filling of new or renovated pools over 10,000L except with a permit from Sydney Water.
   

Level 1 water restrictions: introduced on 1 October 2003 when dam levels dropped below 60 per cent.

Restrictions included:

1. No hosing of hard surfaces.
2. No sprinklers or watering systems.