NSW introduced Stage 1 level water restrictions. BOM also has some useful information on restrictions.
Sydney Water has guidelines and Tips laid out and the Rules listed below
So what does this mean for your garden?
How do you maximise the amount of water for your garden while in drying conditions? We need to make your H2O go further!
Sydney Water rules that apply to everyone in Greater Sydney
- Using drinking water for watering gardens and lawns is permitted before 10am and after 4pm.
There are 3 permitted watering methods: hand-held hose with an instant on-off mechanism (such as a trigger nozzle), sprinklers or watering systems. - Smart watering systems or drip irrigation systems may be used between 10am and 4pm.
- Cleaning hard surfaces like paths, driveways, concrete or other paved areas with water is not permitted unless necessary for safety, health or emergency reasons, construction activity or surface contamination.
- Hoses and taps must never be left running unattended.
- Fire hoses must never be used for anything other than firefighting.
- Water run-off or overspray onto hard surfaces like pathways isn’t permitted.
- If we’ve given you a notice to fix a leak, you must do it by the deadline we’ve set.
Irrigation systems
Any irrigation system with sprinklers or pop ups are not allowed, drip irrigation systems are permitted.
Exemptions apply to Water irrigation timers that have have a rain sensor installed or water timers with weather updated software.
This is usually included in an app and connected by Bluetooth or wifi connection to the timer. Change your sprayers to a drip line, it’s easy enough to do or install a rain sensor.
Hand held watering
All hand held watering devices must have a trigger or an on and off valve.
If you have a favourite rain wand that does not comply you can attach a ball or gate valve to make it compliant .
Hand watering must be before 10 am in the morning or after 4pm. Bear in mind in the cooler months watering too early can effect some plants.
Recycling and Grey water
All watering from a water tanks is permitted, though it will run down.
If it doesn’t rain the tank will run dry. Grey water is problematic, watered down it can be used sparingly using it untreated is definitely not recommended especially on vegetables. Buckets of shower water can be used for watering balcony and pot plants.
Maximising H2O
Mow Lawns high and regularly as this will keep the grassroots deep in the ground.
In general water longer but less often to get water deeper into the subsoil. Watering on a wet day is a way to let water infiltrate deep into the soil.
Mulching an older garden is a great way to conserve moisture though on younger gardens it may promote shallow roots susceptible to drying out in harsher weather
Organic matter is another way to help soils conserve moisture. Compost and manures spread on the garden is a good job to do in the cooler months while getting ready for Spring and Summer
Whilst it may feel better to just turn the system off and wait for the dams to fill this may be a long time. I recommend not to let your garden fall into disrepair.
Deep watering is essential for resilient gardens
Sydney Water Special Circumstances and Exclusions
The guidelines allow flexibility for residents and businesses in a range of circumstances.
Read more on the exclusions for New Turf & Gardens, Commercial Water Use, Health, Hygiene & Safety, External cleaning, Vehicles & Boats, Swimming Pools & Spas, Construction, Fire fighting and Public Health.
Gecko Plantscapes provides expert horticultural solutions to the problems experienced in the gardens of Sydney and surrounds.
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