The NSW Government has announced that from 10 December 2019, Level 2 water restrictions will come into effect for Greater Sydney and the Illawarra areas.
This has been triggered by the expectation that dam levels around Sydney and the Illawarra will drop to 45 percent in the coming weeks.
What does this mean?
The biggest changes are around outdoor water use:
- you can only use a watering can or bucket to water your garden before 10am and after 4pm
- you can only use drip irrigation or smart watering systems for a max of 15 mins per day before 10am and after 4pm
- you need a permit to fill new or renovated pools and spas of more than 500L capacity
- you can only top up an existing pool or spa, using a hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, watering can or bucket for a maximum of 15 minutes a day. You can only do this to replace water lost through evaporation
- you can only wash your vehicles with a bucket and sponge or at a commercial car wash.
For breaches of restrictions, fines will apply – $220 for residential and $550 for businesses.
Exemptions are available for businesses and industries that rely on outdoor use. Businesses should check with Sydney Water.
There are many ways to save water. Click here to read SCA (NSW) recent article on being Water Wise.
You can also find more information at: https://lovewater.sydney/restrictions