Water Restrictions
The Bureau of Meteorology’s Water Restrictions website provides access to current water restrictions information for the whole of Australia. Water restrictions information can be searched by State or Territory, water agency and restriction name. Water restriction names and rules vary throughout Australia due to local requirements.
Greater Adelaide
Documented Level 2 Water Restrictions came into effect in July 2003 for suburbs and towns across Greater Adelaide which were supplied by the River Murray and Myponga Reservoir. These were upgraded to Level 3 in January 2007. From April 2009, areas of West Lakes, Whyalla and Port Pirie were allowed some flexibility for outdoor water usage to manage soil, lead and dust contamination issues. As of 1 December 2010, all public water supply customers were placed under the same Water Wise Measures, currently set to expire in January 2023.
For further information on the water restrictions/measures for a particular region within South Australia, refer to the SA Water website.
The Greater Adelaide area description is listed by postcodes.
5000, 5006, 5007, 5008, 5009
5010, 5011, 5012, 5013, 5014, 5015,
5016, 5017, 5018, 5019, 5020, 5021, 5022
5023, 5024, 5025, 5031, 5032, 5033, 5034
5035, 5037, 5038, 5039, 5040, 5041, 5042
5043, 5044, 5045, 5046, 5047, 5048, 5049
5050, 5051, 5052, 5061, 5062, 5063, 5064
5065, 5066, 5067, 5068, 5069, 5070, 5072
5073, 5074, 5075, 5076, 5081, 5082, 5083
5084, 5085, 5086, 5087, 5088, 5089, 5090
5091, 5092, 5093, 5094, 5096, 5097, 5107
5108, 5109, 5110, 5112, 5113, 5114, 5115
5116, 5117, 5118, 5121, 5126, 5127, 5131
5133, 5139, 5152, 5154, 5155, 5156, 5157
5158, 5159, 5160, 5161, 5162, 5163, 5163
5164, 5165, 5166, 5167, 5168, 5169, 5170
5171, 5172, 5173, 5174, 5203, 5204, 5211
5212, 5214, 5231, 5232, 5233, 5234, 5235
5242, 5244, 5245, 5250, 5252, 5253, 5254
5255, 5256, 5259, 5261, 5265, 5267, 5273
5307, 5321, 5341, 5343, 5344, 5345, 5346
5351, 5353, 5357, 5360, 5372, 5373, 5374
5401, 5416, 5417, 5451, 5453, 5461, 5462
5464, 5471, 5472, 5473, 5480, 5482, 5490
5491, 5501, 5523, 5540, 5550, 5552, 5554
5555, 5556, 5558, 5560, 5570, 5571, 5572
5580, 5583, 5600, 5608, 5700, 5805, 5950
Current Restriction
WATER WISE MEASURES
Domestic Gardens and Lawns
Watering is permitted at any time by hand (through a hand held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, from a watering can or bucket) or through a drip feed irrigation system.
Sprinklers can be used on any day after 5pm and before 10am.
Children can play under the sprinkler or use water toys that attach to a hose at any time of the day as long as the sprinkler or toy is located on a grassed area or garden and is turned off when children are not playing under it.
Retail Garden Centres
Watering is permitted at any time by hand (through a hand held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, from a watering can or bucket) or through a drip feed irrigation system. Sprinklers can be used on any day after 5.00pm and before 10.00am. On days which the maximum temperature is expected to exceed 30 degrees Celsius, sprinklers may be used between 1.00pm and 2.00pm.
Washing Cars and Boats
Water can be used to wash motor vehicles or a boat provided the water is applied:
• From a bucket or watering can
• By a high pressure, low volume water cleaner; or
• From a hand held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle
• At a commercial car wash
Driveways, Paths, Verandas and Entertaining Areas
The hosing down of external paved areas with water is permitted with a hose fitted with a trigger nozzle only:
• To protect public health
• To ensure the safety of people using the area
• To ensure the health and welfare of animals using the area
• To deal with fire, accident or other emergency
Swimming pools
New pools can be filled with a swimming pool permit from SA Water. Before a permit is issued, we require proof of purchase of a Smart Approved WaterMark pool cover or liquid blanket with an auto doser or six months supply.
Construction Sites
Water can be used for dust suppression and compaction when it is applied from:
• A hand held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle
• Directly from a motor vehicle designed and approved to carry/deposit water
Sports Grounds and Recreational Facilities
Sports grounds and recreational facilities can be watered under an Irrigation of Public Open Space (IPOS) permit as negotiated with SA Water.