Permanent water saving rules (PWSR)

Water is one of our most precious resources, essential for life.

Permanent Water Saving Rules are in place across the state every day of the year. These simple, common-sense rules help us all use drinking water wisely to reduce waste and ensure we’re doing our part to safeguard it for generations to come.

While most people do the right thing, it’s important to know that breaking the rules can lead to penalties.

These rules apply only to drinking water — not greywater, rainwater, bore water, or recycled water.

Below is a summary of the rules. For full details, please refer to our Permanent Water Savings Plan or to our FAQ below.

Note that there are many more water saving steps we can each take to go above and beyond these basic rules.Visit our water saving page to learn more.

Hoses

Hoses must be leak free with a trigger nozzle for all uses, including washing cars and gardens.  Trigger nozzles ensure less water is wasted.

Garden watering

Home and commercial gardens can only be watered between 6pm and 10am, if using watering systems. This avoids the hottest part of the day when water wastage occurs due to evaporation.

You can water gardens at any time using a hand-held hose, watering can or bucket.

Hard surfaces

Water must not be used to clean hard surfaces such as concrete, paths and driveways.

Exemptions apply when cleaning is needed to address a hazard, surface staining or during construction, see FAQs for more information.

In these situations, a high pressure water cleaning device must be used if one is available.  Otherwise, a hand-held hose or a bucket can be used.

Swapping to a broom will save a lot of water from being washed down the drain.

Green spaces

Public Green Spaces can only be watered:

  • using watering systems between 6pm and 10am and only if these systems are fitted with rain or soil moisture sensors. This avoids the hottest part of the day when water wastage occurs due to evaporation and ensures that we don’t water when it’s not needed

OR

They can, however, be watered anytime using a hand-held hose, watering can or bucket.

Water features

All fountains and other water features must recirculate water.

Frequently asked questions