WA water restrictions & temporary watering exemptions

Why are there sprinkler restrictions?

The State Government has introduced permanent water-efficiency measures across Western Australia to address our drying climate and help preserve our precious water resources. These permanent water efficiency measures are ongoing and include restricting the use of sprinklers during the day, a watering day roster scheme, and a winter sprinkler switch off.

Water efficiency measures affect all water users including people who use scheme water, those who have their own bore, as well as businesses and Government users.

Two-day a week watering roster

Currently, a two-day sprinkler roster is in place from 1 September to 31 May. During this period, there are specific days each week when you are able to water your garden.

Lawns and gardens can only be watered once on your allocated days. You must schedule your sprinklers and reticulation either before 9am or after 6pm.

More information on the watering roster for your property can be found at our Help & Advice page.

Temporary watering exemptions

In some circumstances, customers can apply for a temporary exemption to sprinkler bans and other water restrictions.

If you are planting a new lawn or garden, to help it establish you may be eligible for a temporary exemption to allow you to water your lawn or garden outside the watering roster times.

You MUST apply to Muchea Water to be granted an exemption. This includes the use of both manual and automatic reticulation controllers.

Without a temporary watering exemption, any watering during the day (between 9am and 6pm), or outside of your sprinkler roster days, is considered a breach and will result in a fine.

Please be mindful that you will be charged for the water you use, including that used with a temporary watering exemption. It is likely that you will use additional water whilst establishing a lawn or garden. The additional water you use may result in a higher water bill. Refer to the Billing page on our website for details of current pricing and charges.

What qualifies for an exemption?

  • Lawns – must include laying the whole lawn area, ie front, back or side on corner blocks. Gardens beds planted at the same time as the lawn is laid are included in the lawn exemption.
  • Verges – An exemption will be considered if the verge is greater than 50 square metres.
  • Gardens – must include planting of the whole area not just part of it. If you have existing lawn and have only put in garden beds, exemption is not available.

Reticulation

If reticulation is installed by a landscape contractor, builder or developer, the owner is responsible for any breach of the exemption conditions. Please check that your reticulation controllers are correctly set and have an adequate battery back-up in case of interruption to the main power source as loss of power is not a valid reason for any breach of exemption conditions.

When to apply:

  • Temporary watering exemptions can commence on the day the lawn or garden is planted.
  • Only apply for a temporary water exemption to commence from the day your lawn or garden is installed, this ensures that you get the full length of the exemption.
  • If you have already installed your lawn or garden you can still apply, we will provide a temporary watering exemption for the remainder of the period from the date of installation.

Apply for a temporary watering exemption by completing the request form.

We will consider your eligibility for the following exemption periods:

1 October – 31 March (Spring / Summer)

If your temporary watering exemption is granted during the spring or summer period, then you may be able to water for up to 42 days from the day of planting.

We recommend that you water your new lawn or garden with 10mm of water a day.

Recommended watering schedule:

Recommended watering schedule between 1 October and 31 March
Days Amount Frequency Time
1-10 3.5mm 3 x daily Before 9am, at 12 noon & at 3pm
11-20 5mm 2 x daily Before 9am and at 3pm
21-28 10mm 1 x daily Before 9am
29-42 10mm Every second day Before 9am

1 April – 30 September (Autumn / Winter)

During autumn and winter you are able to water for up to 35 days from the day of planting, though you should always take rainy days into account and not over water lawns or plantings. Again, please be mindful that you will be charged for the extra water you use.

We recommend that you water your new lawn or garden with 7.5mm of water a day.

 Recommended watering schedule:

Recommended watering schedule between 1 April and 30 September
Days Amount Frequency Time
1-14 4mm 2 x daily Before 9am & at 2pm
15-28 7.5mm 1 x daily Before 9am
29-35 7.5mm Every second day Before 9am

Temporary Watering Exemption conditions

  • Random inspections may occur. If you don’t comply with the temporary watering exemption conditions you risk a fine.
  • All breaches will be the responsibility of the property owner not the person who installed the lawn, plants and reticulation system.
  • All temporary watering exemptions cease at the end of the approved exemption period, calculated from the date your new lawn and/or garden was installed. Normal watering rosters apply after this date.
  • At the end of the temporary watering exemption period the settings on your reticulation controller must be amended according to the sprinkler roster for your area.

Temporary restrictions can be enacted by the Minister for Water during a drought or emergency to conserve water for essential needs. These measures and restrictions are regulated by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation and enforced by water service providers including Water Corporation, Aqwest Bunbury, Busselton Water and Muchea Water.