Sydney introduces level two water restrictions

Following the introduction of level 2 water restrictions as of today (10th December), the City of Sydney will be further reducing water use across all of its parks, pools and public facilities.

The Council has announced that, wherever possible, it will continue to use recycled and bore water to irrigate parks and playing fields, and to water trees and floral displays. They have also modified maintenance practices to minimise water use.

To help preserve water, the City will turn off many of its fountains and water features, including water play areas.

They will continue to work with Sydney Water to reduce water use, while maintaining a liveable city for residents, workers, visitors and wildlife.

Excluded from the water restrictions

• Recycled water (supplied in some parts of Sydney from purple pipes).
• Greywater (water that's collected after being used in washing machines, sinks and showers etc).
• Rainwater (as long as the tank/dam isn't topped up from, or switched to, the drinking water supply).
• Bore water (some government restrictions apply).
• River water (with a licence).

Watering new turf

New turf can be watered using:

• Large a hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle for up to four weeks from the delivery date, following the watering plan below. This applies to areas of any sizes).
• Large sprinklers and watering systems for up to four weeks from the delivery date, following the watering plan below. This only applies if you have a continuous area of new turf larger than 30 metre².

Watering plan for new turf

Week 1:  Water up to three times a day, for a maximum of 30 minutes each session, at any time of day.

Week 2 & 3: Water up to two times a day, for a maximum of 15 minutes each session. You can only water before 10 am and after 4 pm.

Week 4: Water before 10 am and after 4 pm, for a maximum of 30 minutes, on no more than three days during that week.

After week 4, you can only water your turf following the water restrictions. This means you can water before 10 am and after 4 pm with a bucket or watering can, or with a smart irrigation or drip irrigation system for a maximum of 15 minutes.

Turf NSW recommends watering established turf no more than once a week. 

If turf isn't established after four weeks

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

Users can't:

• Use a hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, sprinkler or soaker hose after the four-week watering plan, unless you have an exemption permit.
• Leave hoses and taps running unattende).
• Water the area around new turf or allow water to run off onto hard surfaces.

Filling pools and spas, and playing with water

Users can: 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, not to replace water deliberately removed from the pool or spa.

Users can't:

• Fill a new or renovated pool or spa (that holds more than 500 litres) with drinking water unless you have a pool/spa filling permit and an approved pool cover or lockable spa cover in use.
• Leave hoses and taps running unattended.
• Use water toys that connect to a hose, such as a 'slip n' slide'.
• Allow children to play under sprinklers.

While Sydney is now on level 2 water restrictions many regional areas in NSW are on level 5 and 6 water restrictions

Details of the new level 2 water restrictions and how they impact everyday water use can be found on the Sydney Water website.