Sydney

   

Water restrictions  

Water restrictions in the Sydney Region apply only to one water right category: water access entitlement for urban holders (both regulated and unregulated types).

Levels of water restrictions

Water restrictions applied to the Sydney Region during 2009–10 are shown in the following table.

 

Water restrictions in the Sydney Region in 2009–10

Spatial area

Water restrictions during 2009–10*

Goulburn Mulwaree Council

Level 3

Lithgow City Council

Level 4 until 15 December 2009
Level 5 introduced on 16 December 2009
Level 4A introduced on 19 January 2010
Level 4 introduced on 11 February 2010

Palerang Council

Level 3 until 20 March 2010

Then changed to water conservation measures

Shoalhaven City Council

Level 1 introduced on 5 October 2009 and lifted on 10 February 2010

Sydney Water Corporation

Blue Mountains, Illawarra and Sydney

Water wise rules throughout 2009–10

Wingecarribee Shire Council

Level 1

* All the attributes of a given restriction level are not identical for all utilities. Details of the attributes of a given restriction level for a water utility can be found on their web sites.

 

The following table provides details of water restrictions applicable for the area managed by Sydney Water Corporation.

 

Water restriction rules applicable in Blue Mountains, Illawarra and Sydney

Restriction level

Features of the restriction

Additional details

Water wise rules

 
  • Watering, including with sprinklers and irrigation systems, is allowed any day before 10 am and after 4 pm to avoid the heat of the day
  • All hand-held hoses must have a trigger nozzle
  • No hosing of hard surfaces, such as paths and driveways; washing vehicles is allowed
  • Fire hoses may be used for firefighting activities only

Applicable throughout 2009–10

Level 1
  • No hosing of hard surfaces
  • No sprinklers or watering systems

Introduced when reservoir levels dropped below 60%

Level 2
  • No hosing of hard surfaces
  • No sprinklers or watering systems
  • No hosing of lawns and gardens except hand-held hosing before 9 am and after 5 pm on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays
  • No filling of new or renovated pools over 10,000 L (except with a permit)

Introduced when reservoir levels dropped below 50%

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

Introduced when reservoir levels dropped below 40%