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Using sprinklers & watering systems

It's nice to have beautiful lawns and gardens and you can still maintain a healthy garden under the Water Wise Guidelines.

Under the guidelines, you can:

  • water your garden with a watering can or bucket, or a hand-held hose fitted with an instant on-off mechanism such as a trigger nozzle before 10 am and after 4 pm
  • use drip irrigation systems or 'smart water systems'  at any time
  • water new turf and gardens at any time for up to 28 days after it's delivered/planted.

You can't:

  • water lawns and gardens between 10 am and 4 pm (this is typically the hottest part of the day with the most evaporation)
  • leave taps and hoses running unattended
  • allow water to run-off onto hard surfaces, such as paths and roadways.

Using hand-held hoses

If you're using drinking water from your hose, your hose must be fitted with an instant on-off mechanism such as a trigger nozzle. Hose nozzles that need to be twisted to turn off are not permitted.

Having a trigger nozzle (sometimes also known as a hose gun or hose wand) on your hose helps you save water because you can instantly turn off the water when you no longer need it. Hardware stores, plant nurseries and irrigation supply stores stock a range of trigger nozzles, guns and wands.

It's not permitted to ever leave hoses running unattended.

Hosing hard surfaces

We know that sometimes the only practical way to properly clean a hard surface is to use water from a hose. However, hoses shouldn't be used for all types of cleaning.

Under the Water Wise Guidelines, you can:

  • use a hand-hose fitted with an instant on-off mechanism such as a trigger nozzle or high pressure cleaning equipment to clean hard surfaces like paths and driveways for safety, health, emergency or surface contamination reasons or for construction activities only. Whenever possible, please use a broom or a mop and bucket 
  • use a hand-hose fitted with an instant on-off mechanism such as a trigger nozzle or high pressure cleaning equipment to clean buildings or parts of buildings (eg windows, walls, gutters) 
  • wash vehicles, trailers and boats using a bucket and sponge, a hand-held hose fitted with an instant on-off mechanism, such as a trigger nozzle, or high pressure cleaning equipment. You can also take your vehicle to a commercial car wash. Where possible, it's best to wash vehicles on the lawn so you water and fertilise the grass while you're washing.

Using fire hoses & systems

Fire hoses and fire systems play an important role in keeping people and property safe and need to be tested regularly.

Fire hoses can only be used for firefighting (or related activities), or for fire service testing. They can't be used for cleaning at any time.

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