Water Restrictions for Sydney Commence June 1

Water restrictions will be enforced in Sydney on June 1st for the first time in a decade.

We have the following information from SPASA NSW on the water restrictions announced by the State Government:

The Premier of NSW has announced Level 1 Water Restrictions will commence June 1 under the state’s Metropolitan Water Plan even as the Sydney Desalination Plant ramps up towards full capacity.

Sydney Water have said the city's dams have fallen faster over the past two years than during the Millennium Drought, with inflows at levels not seen since the 1940s.

Water restrictions will apply to everyone in Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the Illawarra.  This includes both residents and businesses.

SPASA has been working hard with Sydney Water to ensure they have a better understanding of how the swimming pool and spa industry operates as well as advocate to limit the impact on swimming pool and spa businesses and owners.

Click here for the Ministerial Release.

Level 1 water restrictions:

• You can’t leave a hose unattended, unless you are topping up a pool

• You will need a permit to fill a new or renovated pool or spa greater than 10,000 litres. Having a pool cover that is *endorsed by the Swimming Pool and Spa Association of Australia (SPASA) is a condition of the permit 

• Your hose must have a trigger nozzle, wand or other attachment with an instant on-off mechanism, and you need to water your lawns and gardens before 10am or after 4pm

• The use of sprinklers and watering systems is not permitted, except for drip irrigation systems or automated watering systems with controllers that automatically adjust watering details based on changing soil moisture or weather conditions

• Hosing hard surfaces like paths and driveways is not permitted. However, you can always spot clean areas for health and safety reasons, or in an emergency

• You can only wash vehicles, boats and buildings with a bucket, a hose fitted with a trigger nozzle or high-pressure cleaning equipment

* Endorsed means under SPASA’s Climate Care Certified program.

Level 1 exclusions:

Exclusions are a list of water sources and uses where restrictions don’t apply. There is no need to apply for these, and they available to everyone. The following are excluded from the restrictions:

• Topping up swimming pools to replace water lost through normal use, including evaporation

• Recycled water (from non-potable pipework)

• Greywater

• Bore water and water taken from rivers

• Rainwater (as long as the tank/dam isn't topped up from, or switched to, the drinking water supply)

• Water parks

• Water used for firefighting, testing and related activities

• Water used for dust suppression & concrete mixing

• Auto (drive through) car washes

• Flushing boat engines and using hoses with trigger nozzles/high pressure cleaning equipment to clean bilges and essential safety components on boat trailers such as brakes and wheels

• Drip irrigation systems, or automated watering systems incorporating soil moisture sensors

• Watering of newly laid turf by handheld hose or sprinkler for a period of 7 days from date of installation

More information on Water Restrictions can be found here.

Daisy Pool Covers are Climate Care Certified by SPASA.