Level 2 Water Restrictions Sydney

Sydney, the Blue Mountains, and the Illawarra experienced water restrictions in December 2019 when dam levels reached 45%. 

Approximately the Sydney region alone uses water that an Olympic-sized swimming pool can hold every two minutes. 

Rain plays a major role in supplying Sydney’s water, which is over 85%. The current drought causes dam levels to reach a critical phase, and that’s when government restrictions on water usage are applied.

Even without water restrictions, the NSW government encourages residents and businesses to conserve water and minimise their use if necessary.

Through Sydney Water’s Water Wise Guidelines, you may check what rules apply in Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains and Illawarra.

Moreover, the state government urges residents and businesses to ensure that their pipes and drainages aren’t blocked to keep the smooth water flow in and out of their property.

If you’re having drainage or plumbing problems, contact Link Plumbing at 0412 056 027 and we’ll fix the issue immediately. We are available 24/7 and provide same-day emergency plumbing services in Sydney for a wide range of issues at a fixed price.

What Can’t You Do During Level 2 Water Restrictions

When level 2 water restrictions take place, there are many things that you cannot simply do. You cant:

• Leave the hose unattended and let the water run off to clean paths, driveways, or roads
• Hosing hard surfaces, unless in emergencies
• Use regular sprinklers, soakers, weeping, hand-held hoses, or watering systems at any time.
• Allow children or pets to play under sprinklers or use children’s toys that connect to a hose.
• Use a hose with a trigger nozzle, sprinkler or soaker hose to water new turf after the initial 4-week period.
• Fill a new or renovated pool or spa (larger than 500L) without a permit, pool cover, or lockable spa cover.
• Washing vehicles with a hose, even with a trigger nozzle is strictly prohibited 
• Clean external building walls, gutters, or hosing of hard surfaces like paths, paved areas, and driveways with a hose or high-pressure cleaner.
• Use water for dust suppression without a permit (unless no alternative is reasonably available).
• Use drinking water supply to fill, refill, or top up your new or existing pond, lake, fountain, or water feature.

What Can You Do During Level 2 Water Restrictions

Even if the government issues level 2 water restrictions, you can:

• Water your garden before 10 am or after 4 pm using a watering can or bucket
• You can use smart and drip irrigation systems for 15 minutes before 10 am or after 4 pm
• Have your car washed with a bucket or at a commercial car wash
• Fill existing pools and spas, or a new or renovated pool with a hose with a trigger nozzle for a maximum of 15 minutes every day to replace water lost due to evaporation. However, you must seek a permit before filling swimming pools that require more than 500 litres of water
• Use recycled water, greywater, rainwater, bore and river water where needed. 
• Use a handheld hose with a trigger nozzle or use sprinklers and watering systems for watering new turf (continuous area of more than 30㎡) for up to 4 weeks from the delivery date following the Sydney Water New Turf Watering Plan. Keep the delivery docket as proof of purchase in case Sydney Water’s Community Water Officers ask for it.
• Clean your boat for 10 minutes with  a hose fitted with a trigger nozzle to flush seawater
• Wash boat motors using a bucket or specially designed flushing device fitted to a hose.
• Use a handheld hose to fill water tanks on a boat and don’t leave them unattended or allow them to overflow.
• Use a high-pressure device or hose with a trigger fitting to clean bilges
• Use a bucket and sponge or commercial car wash to clean a trailered vessel and boat trailers 
• Use a high-pressure hose or hose with a trigger nozzle to clean a boat trailer’s essential safety components
• Clean hard surfaces with a hose with a trigger nozzle fitting or high-pressure cleaner for health, safety, or emergency reasons
• Wash a wheelie bin with a bucket or hose with a trigger fitting.
• Use a bucket and cloth to wash windows, or hire a window cleaner who has an exemption permit.
• Top up or fill a pond or water feature using recycled water, greywater, rain or bore water 
• Fire hoses can be used during firefighting activities only.
• Use drinking water to water gardens and lawns before 10 am and after 4 pm.

Residents would pay a fine of $220, while businesses must pay $550 for non-compliance. Businesses that utilise outdoor water must apply for an exemption. 

Even if the business received a permit under the previous level of restrictions, they still need to contact Sydney Water Corporation for validation.

Permitted Watering Systems

Sydney Water enforces its mandatory rules of water use every day year-round to help conserve water across Greater Sydney. This includes:

• Hand-held hose with an instant on-off mechanism
• Sprinklers
• Watering systems

To avoid paying a hefty fine, Contact our licensed and expert plumbers to inspect for any blockage or leaks. Call us at 0412 056 027 so we can address and fix any plumbing issues immediately before they worsen.

Level 2 Water Restrictions & Lawn Management

Watering your lawn or garden while trying to save water during drought can be daunting. However, with this time- and water-saving plan for level 2 water restrictions and lawn management, you can still water your new turf.

WEEK 1: Water your turf to a maximum of three times a day for at least 30 minutes for each session, any time of the day.

WEEK 2 & 3: You can drench your lawn twice a day for 30 minutes only for each watering session. Remember to water before 10 in the morning and after 4 in the afternoon.

WEEK 4: You must water your lawn before 10 am and after 4 pm for 30 minutes only, not exceeding three days during that week.

If the turf layer can still be pulled away from the ground after four weeks and the roots aren’t yet established, then you may need to apply for an exemption to continue watering outside the restrictions.

Remember that you can’t:

• After the four-week watering plan, use a hose connected to a trigger nozzle, sprinkler, or soaker hose, except when you have an exemption permit.
• Just leave hoses and taps running unattended.
• Drench around the new turf’s area or allow water to run off onto hard surfaces.

More Ways You Can Save Water

You can help save water in more ways than one. These are:

• Using greywater from washing machines and baths whether treated or untreated.
• Installing water tanks could save you up to 40% of your drinking water supply and yearly $200 off your water bills.
• Checking your water meter occasionally allows you to track your water use.
• Using a pool blanket or liquid pool cover reduces evaporation of pools and spas by 40%–90%.

Water Restrictions FAQs

1. Why do government restrictions regulate irrigation systems?

Using drip irrigation to water a landscape can consume half of the total residential water consumption. Restrictions in water usage can help conserve water.

2. Which alternative water sources are exempted from water restrictions? Is it possible to use other water sources instead?

Water restrictions apply to water sourced from ground or surface water, pumps, and private wells, including private or public utilities. It means you cannot source water from lakes, rivers, or wells.

3. How do I know the current water restrictions in my area?

Check with the water agency that supplies your water. It could be your local council, retail water utility or water authority. 

4. How can I save water during the water restrictions process?

Follow the rules set by the state government regarding permanent water conservation measures. The more water you can save, the more water you can use in the years to come. 

5. How do water restrictions affect my bill? 

Water rates consist of fixed charges for both sewer and water services. It covers the infrastructure and treatment costs and stays the same even when water restrictions apply. 

To avoid additional expensive bills, ensure your drainage system works properly. If you have such issues, contact our top-rated Sydney plumbing specialists at Link Plumbing right away.

6. Can I use smart watering systems during the water restriction period?

Yes. You can use a smart watering system for up to 15 minutes only per day for each watering zone. To use this system, you must have an automated weather adjustment (instant on/off mechanism), rain sensor, and soil moisture sensor.