Domestic garden bore water users
Questions
1.Why do we have a winter sprinkler ban?
2.How was the area for the winter sprinkler ban selected?
3.Can I maintain my bore during the winter sprinkler ban?
4.What happens if there is no rain?
5.What happens if I am away when the winter sprinkler ban starts and I am unable to turn off my watering system?
6.Why was I encouraged to install a bore as a waterwise option and why am I now being restricted on using it?
7.I water my garden by a hand held hose. Is this permitted during the winter sprinkler ban?
8.Are there exemptions for planting a new lawn or garden in winter?
9.Can I use my reticulation to water in fertiliser during the winter sprinkler ban period?
10.I am a contractor in the turf or garden or landscaping industry. What rules apply to my business?
11.I have a large greenhouse. Does the winter sprinkler ban apply?
12.Do businesses and other organisations need to abide by these restrictions?
13.How much water does a winter sprinkler ban save?
14.I have noticed people using their sprinklers during the winter sprinkler ban. Who do I contact?
15.Do penalties apply for not doing the right thing?
Answers
1.Why do we have a winter sprinkler ban?
Evaporation rates are low in winter and there is usually sufficient 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 ban aims to prevent this wastage and save water for the drier months.
2.How was the area for the winter sprinkler ban selected?
The banned area is based on rainfall data and evapo-transpiration rates.
3.Can I maintain my bore during the winter sprinkler ban?
We understand that problems may arise with bores if they are not periodically used. We recommend that you flush your bore reticulation system once a week, on one of your allocated watering days, either before 9am or after 6pm, for approximately 2 minutes per station. Longer than this is not necessary and may constitute a breach of the winter sprinkler ban as it may be deemed you are watering your garden.
If you share a domestic garden bore with your neighbour you can only do maintenance on one of your allocated days. If a shared controller is used, and both properties can only be maintained at the same time, then maintenance should take place on the assigned roster for the property on which the bore is located.
4.What happens if there is no rain?
The Minister can delay the start date of the ban or suspend the ban for a period of time if weather conditions require.
5.What happens if I am away when the winter sprinkler ban starts and I am unable to turn off my
watering system?
During the winter sprinkler ban you must turn off your watering system otherwise you may incur penalties. If you will be away when the winter ban comes into effect, it is your responsibility to ensure that your watering system has been turned off prior to your departure or that you have arranged for someone to turn the system off for you.
If you operate a bore and you have an adjustable control system you can set it prior to your departure to allow for 2 minutes watering on each station, once per week, on one of your allocated watering days, either before 9am or after 6pm. This is to allow flushing of the bore and prevent damage to your system.
6.Why was I encouraged to install a bore as a waterwise option and why am I now being restricted on
using it?
Research indicates that 2 days per week of watering provides sufficient water to sustain most established waterwise gardens. If you have a bore, you are provided with an additional day. A bore uses water from the shallow underground aquifer. Maintaining the level of these aquifers ensures the health of wetlands and river systems. It is therefore important that bore users only use what their garden needs and do not over-water.
Furthermore, in winter, evaporation rates are low and there is usually sufficient 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 ban aims to prevent this wastage and save water for the drier months.
7.I water my garden by a hand held hose. Is this permitted during the winter sprinkler ban?
Yes. You are still permitted to hand water your garden. We recommend you water before 9am for maximum water efficiency.
8.Are there exemptions for planting a new lawn or garden in winter?
We understand that more frequent watering is necessary when establishing a new lawn or garden. Exemptions from the winter sprinkler ban may be granted for up to 35 days. For more information click here.
9.Can I use my reticulation to water in fertiliser during the winter sprinkler ban period?
Only contractors or people employed in the turf, garden or landscaping industries can use reticulation during the winter ban period to apply wetting agents, fertilisers and for verti-mowing. The public are expected to undertake these activities after or before rainfall events.
10.I am a contractor in the turf or garden or landscaping industry. What rules apply to my business?
People employed in the garden/turf/landscaping industries are allowed to install, repair and test irrigation equipment, apply wetting agents or fertilisers and undertake vert-imowing at any time of day. These contractors are expected to reticulate immediately following these procedures. No more than a standard drink (10mm) should be delivered.
We recommend that these people display signs to inform the public that these activities are allowed to be conducted.
11.I have a large greenhouse. Does the winter sprinkler ban apply?
No. As your greenhouse is not affected by rainfall the winter sprinkler ban does not apply to you. However, you must isolate your sprinkler stations to water this area only and ensure that outside sprinklers are not activated at the same time.
12.Do businesses and other organisations need to abide by these restrictions?
The sprinkler restrictions apply to the lawns and gardens of all scheme water users and bore water users. If businesses have a water licence, they must abide by the conditions of their licence.
13.How much water does a winter sprinkler ban save?
It has been estimated that during the 2011 winter sprinkler ban 4.2 billion litres of water was saved (equivalent to 1870 Olympic swimming pools).
14.I have noticed people using their sprinklers during the winter sprinkler ban. Who do I contact?
If you think residential houses are mis-using water please contact your water service provider.
The Water Corporation or call 13 10 39
Aqwest – Bunbury Water Board or call 9780 9500
Busselton Water- Busselton Water Board or call 9781 0500
If you believe a local government is mis-using water, please contact the local government directly.
Please try and record at much detail as possible including the address, time and date of the water mis-use and what you observed.
15.Do penalties apply for not doing the right thing?
Anyone found using sprinklers during the winter sprinkler ban can be fined $100.