Water restrictions

Level 1 water restrictions are now in place

More than 85% of Greater Sydney’s water supply relies on rain. This means that our water is in short supply during prolonged droughts.

Water restrictions limit how and when we use drinking water outdoors and help reduce demand when we’re not getting enough rain.

Water restrictions apply to everyone in Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the Illawarra. This includes both residents and businesses.

If we all do our bit and save a little, it will make a big difference across Greater Sydney.

What's allowed under Level 1 water restrictions?

	What can you do?	What can't you do?
Watering lawns & gardens	You can: water lawns and gardens with a watering can or bucket water lawns and gardens by hand held hose before 10 am or after 4 pm, as long as your hose is fitted with a trigger nozzle water your garden with drip irrigation systems water lawns and gardens with watering systems with one or more of these features: automated weather adjustment rain sensor soil moisture sensor water new turf for one week after it's delivered as long as you follow the instructions provided by the turf supplier	You can't: use standard sprinklers and watering systems at any time leave hoses and taps running unattended
Cleaning vehicles & buildings	You can: wash vehicles and buildings with a bucket, a hose fitted with a trigger nozzle or high pressure cleaning equipment clean garbage bins and bin wash bays using a hose fitted with a trigger nozzle or high pressure cleaning equipment flush boat engines clean bilges and essential safety components on boat trailers such as brakes and wheels using a hose fitted with a trigger nozzle or high pressure cleaning equipment	You can't: wash vehicles and buildings with a hose that isn't fitted with a trigger nozzle or high pressure cleaning equipment leave hoses and taps running unattended
Filling pools and spas	You can: top up an existing pool or spa to replace water lost through evaporation fill a new or renovated pool with a capacity less than 10,000 litres without a permit	You can't: fill a new or renovated pool or spa with a capacity greater than 10,000 litres unless you have a pool cover and permit from your pool supplier
Cleaning hard surfaces (paths & driveways)	You can: spot clean hard surfaces for health, safety or emergency reasons only using a hose fitted with a trigger nozzle or high pressure cleaning equipment	You can't: clean hard surfaces such as paths, driveways and paved areas with a hose as part of general cleaning leave hoses and taps running unattended

What's excluded from the restrictions?

Types of water excluded from the restrictions

Recycled water (supplied in some parts of Sydney through purple pipes)
Greywater (water from sinks, showers, washing machines etc)
Rainwater (as long as the tank/dam isn't topped up from, or switched to, the drinking water supply)
Bore water
River water (you need to have a licence)

Uses of water excluded from the restrictions

Water parks
Water used for firefighting, testing and related activities
Water used for dust suppression

What are the fines for not following the restrictions?
Fines of $220 apply to individuals and $550 for businesses*

Who can apply for an exemption from water restrictions?

If you're a non-residential customer and you use water outdoors, you may be able to apply for an exemption. Please read the restrictions and exclusions carefully first as you may not need to apply for an exemption.

Find out more about water restrictions exemption requests.

How can you tell us about something you've seen?

If you're concerned about the deliberate misuse of water, you can make a report about water restrictions.

* There will be a three-month grace period before fines apply. Fines won't be issued until after 1 September.

We all need to do our bit to save water. You can save thousands of litres by fixing leaks and installing water efficient devices. WaterFix® has already helped save over 300 million litres of water!

See our latest offer

See also

Find answers

What's the average amount of water used around the home?
Family water use is varied

A family's daily water use can vary depending on a number of things, such as:
- the time of year
- the size of your property
- the number of people staying in your home
- the types of fittings and appliances in your home
- your water use habits.
Check your family's water use against our water efficiency targets or read our water wise tips to see how you could save water.

Are you concerned about leaks in your home?
If you’re looking to fix leaks or install water efficient devices in your home, you can also contact our licensed plumbers through our WaterFix® Residential plumbing service. For almost 20 years, we've helped our customers save over 300 million litres of water and reduce their water bills.

Find out if WaterFix® Residential is right for you!
What is the long-term plan to ensure our water supply?

Water is a limited and natural resource. Greater Sydney's population is growing rapidly and expectations for more liveable cities are creating new and increased demands for water. This in turn places additional pressure on our water supplies.

To add to this pressure, urbanisation also has impacts on our local communities’ water needs and waterways. An increasingly variable and changing climate means we can't know with certainty how much rainfall will support our water supply system in the future.

The NSW Government's 2017 Metropolitan Water Plan is the response to these challenges and pressures. The plan’s main goal is to secure water for a liveable, growing and resilient greater Sydney. It establishes key strategies to be implemented over the life of the plan. It will also set us on a pathway towards a water supply system that meets greater Sydney’s needs for the next 50 years.

Find out more about Water planning for Sydney.

How can you save water if you live in an apartment?

There are lots of simple, yet effective ways to save water indoors.

Did you know that over 85% of all water use in apartment blocks is within your control?

Where is water used in Sydney apartments?	How can you save water inside your apartment?
Showers - 45%	Take shorter showers Install a water efficient showerhead
Minor leaks - 14% or more!	Act quickly as most leaks get worse over time. Maintenance and quick repairs are key to reducing the cost of leaks
Washing machines - 10%	Wait until you have a full load before using your washing machine Look for a water efficient model when it's time to replace your current washing machine. Front loaders use less water and are gentler on your clothes
Toilets - 7%	Use the half flush on your toilet whenever possible Check for leaks. Toilets are responsible for the most common, and the worst, leaks inside homes. A leaking toilet can waste over 16,000 litres of water a year! Install a new 4-star dual flush toilet if you don't already have one
Kitchen taps - 5%	Turn the tap off if you don't need to leave it running Check for leaks or drips and replace washers as soon as taps begin to leak Install water saving devices in your taps
Basins and baths - 5%	Don't overfill your bath or basin Turn the tap off while brushing your teeth, cleaning dishes or preparing food Check for leaks and repair or replace old taps
Dishwashers - 1%	Wait until you have a full load before using your dishwasher Look for a water efficient model when it's time to replace your current machine

Individual apartments

If you own an apartment and you're looking to fix leaks or install water efficient devices in your home, you can contact our licensed plumbers through our WaterFix® Residential plumbing service. For almost 20 years, we've helped our customers save over 300 million litres of water and reduce their water bills.

Large strata managed buildings

If you're a strata manager or you live in a residential strata managed building and are concerned about wasting water throughout all apartments in the building, WaterFix® Strata may be able to help.

How can you make your home more water efficient?
There are several things you can do around your home to ensure you're using water as efficiently as possible.

WaterFix® Residential

WaterFix® Residential is a fixed price plumbing service we've offered for almost 20 years.

Our qualified plumbers have helped customers to reduce their water use and save money by:
- repairing leaking taps, toilets and showerheads
- installing Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme (WELS) rated toilets, taps and showerheads
- making existing fixtures more water efficient.
Find out more about WaterFix® Residential and our range of services.

Water wise tips

Our water wise tips are everyday, common sense things you can do around your home and garden to use water efficiently.

When you follow our water wise tips and use water efficient fixtures, you'll be well on your way to saving our most precious resource!

Are you following the water restrictions?
Water restrictions are now in place as Sydney's prolonged dry weather continues.

They apply to everyone in Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the Illawarra. This includes both residents and businesses.

By following the restrictions, you'll help use water wisely outside your home.

Learn more
When is the desalination plant turned on?
Sydney’s water supply is secured through the 2017 Metropolitan Water Plan. The plan is designed to ensure there’s enough water to meet the needs of the people and environment of Greater Sydney now - and in the future.

The desalination plant at Kurnell can provide up to 15% of our drinking water needs when total dam storage levels fall below 60%, which is the trigger to commence restart procedures.

Find out more about desalination.