Due to a drying climate in the south-west of Western Australia, the State Government has introduced permanent water-efficiency measures to reduce our water use. Permanent water efficiency measures are ongoing and include restricting the use of sprinklers during the day, sprinkler rosters, and the winter sprinkler switch off.
On 1 September 2022, the domestic garden bore sprinkler roster has changed to align with the two-days-per-week sprinkler roster for scheme water users in Perth and Mandurah, reducing from three days per week. Alignment of the domestic garden bore and scheme water rosters will save up to 30 GL per year of groundwater, which will help to slow or reverse our declining groundwater levels.
You can find a downloadable map below under Publications.
We have visited garden expert and bore user Sabrina Hahn in her garden. Watch three videos with her advice and practical tips on the Be Groundwater Wise website.
Sprinkler rosters
A watering day roster applies to scheme and domestic garden bore sprinkler use in certain areas of the state. These rosters and days are explained below for different areas. Downloadable maps can be found under Publications below.
Sprinkler roster days are based on the last digit of your house number. If you have no house number, use the lot number instead.
The below information is for domestic garden bore sprinkler use.
For information on current scheme water restrictions, and all other queries, please contact your water service provider:
- Water Corporation (13 10 39)
- Aqwest – Bunbury Water Corporation (08 9780 9500)
- Busselton Water – Busselton Water Corporation (08 9781 0500).
How to report misuse
If you see someone misusing water, please contact your water service provider:
- Water Corporation: Report sprinkler breach online
- Aqwest – Bunbury Water Corporation: 08 9780 9500
- Busselton Water – Busselton Water Corporation: 08 9781 0500.
Penalties
Anyone found using sprinklers between 9am and 6pm, during the winter sprinkler switch off, or outside their rostered days can be fined $100.
If you receive an infringement, you will need to make a payment.
Sprinkler roster – North Area 1
Show moreGarden bore users within North Area 1 can water on any day, once a day, either before 9am or after 6pm.
You can find a downloadable map under Publications.
Sprinkler roster – South Area 2
Show moreGarden bore users in South Area 2 can water on any day, once a day, either before 9am or after 6pm, including Esperance, Kalgoorlie, Geraldton and Kalbarri.
Scroll down for the one day per week roster for Grass Patch and Salmon Gums.
Map: South Area 2
including Esperance, Kalgoorlie, Geraldton and Kalbarri
Sprinkler roster: South (Area 2)
including Esperance, Kalgoorlie, Geraldton and Kalbarri
| Last digit of your house number (or your lot number if a house number is not allocated) | Scheme users – two watering days a week | Garden bore users can water any day |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wednesday and Saturday | - |
| 2 | Thursday and Sunday | - |
| 3 | Friday and Monday | - |
| 4 | Saturday and Tuesday | - |
| 5 | Sunday and Wednesday | - |
| 6 | Monday and Thursday | - |
| 7 | Tuesday and Friday | - |
| 8 | Wednesday and Saturday | - |
| 9 | Thursday and Sunday | - |
| 0 | Friday and Monday | - |
You may use your sprinklers once per day on your allocated days, either before 9am or after 6pm.
Sprinkler roster: Grass Patch and Salmon Gums
Garden bore users in Grass Patch and Salmon Gums can use their sprinklers every day (there is no roster), once a day, either before 9am or after 6pm.
| Last digit of your house number (or your lot number if a house number is not allocated) | Scheme users – one watering day a week | Garden bore users can water any day |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wednesday | - |
| 2 | Thursday | - |
| 3 | Friday | - |
| 4 | Saturday | - |
| 5 | Sunday | - |
| 6 | Monday | - |
| 7 | Tuesday | - |
| 8 | Wednesday | - |
| 9 | Thursday | - |
| 0 | Friday | - |
You may use your sprinklers once per day on your allocated days, either before 9 am or after 6 pm.
Find a downloadable map under Publications.
Sprinkler roster – Perth and Mandurah Area 3
Show moreA winter sprinkler switch-off applies from 1 June to 31 August each year.
From 1 September to 31 May, garden bore users can use sprinklers once a day, either before 9am or after 6pm, on their two rostered days each week (see table below).
Map: Perth and Mandurah (Area 3)
You can find a downloadable map under Publications.
Sprinkler roster: Perth and Mandurah (Area 3)
You can find a downloadable pdf under Publications.
| Last digit of your house number (or your lot number if a house number is not allocated) | Scheme users - two watering days a week | Garden bore users - two watering days a week |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wednesday and Saturday | Wednesday and Saturday |
| 2 | Thursday and Sunday | Thursday and Sunday |
| 3 | Friday and Monday | Friday and Monday |
| 4 | Saturday and Tuesday | Saturday and Tuesday |
| 5 | Sunday and Wednesday | Sunday and Wednesday |
| 6 | Monday and Thursday | Monday and Thursday |
| 7 | Tuesday and Friday | Tuesday and Friday |
| 8 | Wednesday and Saturday | Wednesday and Saturday |
| 9 | Thursday and Sunday | Thursday and Sunday |
| 0 | Friday and Monday | Friday and Monday |
You may use your sprinklers once per day on your allocated days, either before 9 am or after 6 pm.
Sprinkler roster – South West Area 4
Show moreA winter sprinkler switch-off applies from 1 June to 31 August each year.
From 1 September to 31 May, garden bore users can use sprinklers any day, once a day, either before 9am or after 6pm.
Map: South West Area 4
including Albany
Sprinkler roster: South West Area 4
including Albany
| Last digit of your house number (or your lot number if a house number is not allocated) | Scheme users - two watering days a week | Garden bore users can water any day |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wednesday and Saturday | - |
| 2 | Thursday and Sunday | - |
| 3 | Friday and Monday | - |
| 4 | Saturday and Tuesday | - |
| 5 | Sunday and Wednesday | - |
| 6 | Monday and Thursday | - |
| 7 | Tuesday and Friday | - |
| 8 | Wednesday and Saturday | - |
| 9 | Thursday and Sunday | - |
| 0 | Friday and Monday | - |
You may use your sprinklers once per day on your allocated days, either before 9 am or after 6 pm.
You can find a downloadable map under Publications.
Exemptions
Show moreThe following exemptions are granted under the Water Agencies (Water Use) By-laws 2010.
Shared domestic garden bores
This by-law applies to a person using domestic bore water to water a lawn or garden by reticulation in circumstances where the bore is located on a property with a different street or lot number (the other property).
Each property should only irrigate on their roster day determined by the last digit of their house number (or lot number if no house number is allocated).
If the property shares a domestic garden bore with another property and is unable to isolate the irrigation to their own allocated sprinkler roster days, then each property can only irrigate on the days where the bore is located.
The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation recommends that you register your details to avoid the issuing of a warning notice or fine, by calling 1800 508 885 (and selecting Option 1) or emailing your details to wem@dwer.wa.gov.au.
Exemption for installation, repair or testing of reticulation systems
You may use your sprinklers while the system is being installed, maintained, tested or repaired, to the minimum extent necessary. A person does not commit an offence under by-law four if the person operates a reticulation system using garden bore water to the minimum extent necessary while the system is being installed, maintained, tested or repaired.
We deem the minimum extent necessary to be no more than two minutes per station. Longer than this may be deemed to be watering your garden.
We recommend that maintenance, repairs and testing be carried out on one of your allocated roster days, before 9am or after 6pm.
Turf, garden or landscaping industries
A person does not commit an offence if, in the course of the person's occupation in the turf, garden or landscaping industries, the person operates a reticulation system using either scheme water or domestic garden bore water to the minimum extent necessary while the reticulation system is being installed, maintained, tested or repaired.
We deem the 'minimum extent necessary’ to be no more than two minutes per station.
Verti-mowing and fertilising by a commercial operator
A person does not commit an offence if, in the course of the person’s occupation in the turf, garden or landscaping industries, the person waters a lawn, garden or grass covered sporting ground immediately after verti-mowing or applying fertiliser or wetting agent.
We recommend no more than 10mm of water immediately after applying fertilisers, wetting agents or verti-mowing.
This exemption does not apply to any other person.
Market gardens or plants in nurseries
A person does not commit an offence if the person waters a market garden or plant nursery to the minimum extent necessary to ensure viable operation.
Note: Properties that are covered by a groundwater licence granted by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation do not commit an offence if the person uses water in accordance with section 5C of the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914.
Caravan parks or camping ground sites (which are not covered by a groundwater license)
A person does not commit an offence if the person waters a site as defined in the Caravan Parks and Camping Grounds Act 1995 section 5(1) immediately after the site has been vacated by an occupier.
Note: Properties that are covered by a groundwater licence granted by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation do not commit an offence if the person uses water in accordance with section 5C of the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914.
Maintenance of birds in aviaries
A person does not commit an offence if the person waters an aviary to the minimum extent necessary to maintain those birds in that aviary.
Fire fighting
A person does not commit an offence if the person uses water to the minimum extent necessary for firefighting or training for firefighting.
Use in bushfire prone areas not connected to scheme water
Households can seek an exemption from the two-days-per-week sprinkler roster if they do not have access to scheme water and are located in a Department of Fire and Emergency Services Bushfire prone area
New lawns and gardens registration
Show moreIf you are establishing a new lawn or garden, you must apply for a temporary exemption to water between 9am and 6pm, outside your rostered watering days, and during the winter switch off period.
Apply online for a new lawn or garden exemption if you have a Water Corporation account.
If you do not have an account, please contact the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation on 1800 508 885.
If you have not registered and there is a proven breach of the water conditions you may be fined $100.
Note: Groundwater licence holders should follow the conditions as described in their licence and are not required to register newly planted lawns/gardens.
Frequently asked questions: Sprinkler use
Show more1. Why do we have sprinkler restrictions?
Due to a drying climate in the south-west of Western Australia, the State Government introduced permanent water-efficiency measures. Permanent water efficiency measures are ongoing and include restricting the use of sprinklers during the day, sprinkler rosters, and the winter sprinkler switch off. The daytime sprinkler ban and sprinkler roster was introduced for garden bore users and licensed groundwater users in 2007, and the winter sprinkler switch off in 2010.
Temporary restrictions can be enacted by the Minister for Water during a drought or emergency to conserve water for essential needs. These measures and restrictions are regulated by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation and enforced by water service providers such as Water Corporation, Aqwest and Busselton Water.
The winter sprinkler switch off is in place to help make our state more waterwise. Evaporation rates are low in winter and there is usually enough rainfall to sustain lawns and gardens. Water being used on lawns and gardens in winter is a waste of this valuable resource. The winter sprinkler switch off aims to prevent this wastage and save water for the drier months.
Domestic garden bore restrictions are imposed by the Water Agencies (Water Use) By-laws 2010. These by-laws are made by the Minister for Water, with advice from the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, under the Water Agencies (Powers) Act 1984.
2. Are all groundwater licence holders included in the winter sprinkler switch off?
No. The winter sprinkler switch off applies to licensed groundwater users who irrigate non-commercial areas of turf/lawn or gardens. These users include businesses, local governments, public and private schools, golf courses, government departments, major parks, universities and TAFE campuses, and race grounds.
If you are a licensed water user and are unsure if you are affected by the switch off, please contact the relevant Department of Water and Environmental Regulation office.
3. Are there exemptions for licensed water users?
Yes. Licensed water users are permitted to irrigate for commercial purposes during the winter sprinkler switch off. For more information, please contact the relevant Department of Water and Environmental Regulation office.
4. Are school sports ovals exempt from the winter sprinkler switch off?
Yes. School sports ovals are classified as ‘active sporting areas’ and are not included in the winter sprinkler switch off. However, we recommend only irrigating when absolutely necessary.
5. Are caravan parks and camping grounds exempt?
Yes. Areas of turf within a caravan park or camping ground are considered part of the commercial operation of the business and therefore they are not included in the winter sprinkler switch off.
6. Who do I contact if I observe sprinkler use by a local government during the winter sprinkler switch off?
If you observe a local government authority using sprinklers during the winter sprinkler switch off – excluding active sports areas – please contact the local government directly.
Please try and record as much detail as possible, including the address, time and date of the water misuse as well as what you observed.
Note: Groundwater licence holders should follow the conditions as described on their licence and are not required to register newly planted lawns/gardens.
