Due to excellent rainfall totals and improved water management, water restrictions have been eased.

Children can run through sprinklers this summer, and sprinklers can be used to water gardens and lawns during set times of each day, check out www.sydneywater.com.au or call your local council for more info.

Watch out for the water bill though, their have been some hefty increases in the price of water and it may be a case of goodbye water restrictions, hello big water bills.

Historic Information 

The NSW Government has announced that in the future there will be changes to introduce long-term water saving rules.

Level 3 water restrictions now apply across Sydney, Illawarra and the Blue Mountains.

There are no changes now to the Level 3 mandatory water restrictions.

Level 3 mandatory water restrictions continue to apply until further notice to all Sydney Water customers including residents, businesses, local councils and government agencies.

Find out more about long-term water savings rules.

Level 3 Water Restrictions:

• Hand-held hosing of lawns and gardens and drip irrigation is now allowed only on Wednesdays and Sundays before 10 am and after 4 pm,
• 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.

Recycled water, bore water and water used for testing fire systems, fire fighting and related activities are excluded from restrictions. A fine of $220 applies for all breaches of Level 3 restrictions by individuals.

The Water Restrictions Patrol is carrying out random audits to ensure compliance with the new exemption conditions.

Corporations now face a fine of $550 for each breach. Fines for water theft have risen to $2,200.

The following are still permitted at any time:

• Using a bucket or watering can to wash and rinse vehicles or water lawns and gardens.
• Topping up any existing swimming pool.
• Filling a pool 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.
• Using a hose with a trigger nozzle or high pressure cleaning device to clean boat bilges and boat trailer brakes and wheels.
• Using a hose to flush boat engines.
• Cleaning garbage bins using a hose fitted with a trigger nozzle or with an on/off switch. This should be done within an official bin wash area or on grass.