Tuesday, 9 September 2008
| 11ºC – Fair
| Telephone: 02 9777 1000
As of Friday 20 June, water restrictions in Sydney have eased. Whilst Level 3 Water Restrictions still apply in Willoughby, you are now allowed to use hoses with a trigger nozzle when washing your car, windows, walls or gutters.
Current restrictions are now:
- Hand-held hosing and drip irrigation of lawns and gardens is allowed only on Wednesdays and Sundays before 10am and after 4pm.
- Hosing of vehicles at residential premises is now permitted only with a trigger hose or high-pressure water cleaning equipment (to a maximum of 10L/minute) as of June 20, 2008
- Hosing residential building structures including windows, walls and gutters is now allowed using a hose with a trigger nozzle or high-pressure water cleaning equipment (to a maximum of 10L/minute) as of June 20, 2008
- No other watering systems or sprinklers are to be used at any time.
- A permit from Sydney Water is required to fill new or renovated pools bigger than 10,000 litres.
- No hosing of hard surfaces, including vehicles, at any time.
- No hoses or taps to be left running unattended except when filling pools or containers.
- Fire hoses must only be used for fire fighting purposes - not for cleaning.
Sydney Water offer free Do-It-Yourself Water Savings Kits. Willoughby City Council urges everyone to conserve water.
A $220 fine applies for all breaches of Level 3 restrictions by residents. The Water Restrictions Patrol carries out random audits to make sure people are not ignoring the restrictions. Businesses face fines of $550 for each breach. Fines for water theft have risen to $2,200. Council Rangers have also been given the authority by State Government to issue Penalty Infringement Notices for breaching restrictions. To contest an Infringement Notice you can either write to the State Debt Recovery Office or exercise your right of appeal to the Downing Centre Local Court.
Exemptions may apply for some water use. People seeking exemptions should apply via Sydney Water. All exemptions are subject to change following regular reviews as the drought progresses.
The following is still permitted at any time:
- Use a hose with a trigger nozzle to clean cars, boats, boat engines, caravans and houses.
- Water your garden using a watering can or bucket at any time.
- Topping up any existing swimming pool.
- Filling a pool of less than 10,000L capacity.
- Using water from a rainwater tank as long as it is not connected to or topped up from Sydney Water mains.
For further information on Level 3 Water Restrictions visit Sydney Water.