Householders across Perth, Mandurah and the South-West are being reminded to turn off their reticulation systems to save billions of litres of water during winter.
Water Minister Terry Redman urged residents to turn off automatic sprinkler systems on June 1, when the winter sprinkler ban comes into effect.
Mr Redman said the winter sprinkler bans were an important water conservation measure, which last year saved about 4.3 billion litres of scheme water in three months.
"The winter sprinkler ban is now in its fifth year and saves billions of litres of water across the winter months. The 4.3 billion litres of scheme water saved last winter is equivalent to 102,381 backyard swimming pools," he said.
"It has also played a part in the estimated 25 per cent reduction in water used by unlicensed garden bores. Conserving groundwater during winter also leaves water in reserve for hotter, drier periods."
The Minister said breaching the winter sprinkler ban could bring a fine up to $500.
The sprinkler restriction runs from June 1 to August 31. It applies to homes and businesses on public potable water supplies.
It also applies to more than 2,500 ground and surface water licensees that have winter sprinkler restrictions as a condition of their licence. This includes licences with 'non-commercial' water use, as well as domestic lawns, gardens and small-scale pasture.
Hand watering is allowed during the ban and exemptions are available for the watering of new lawns. Automatic exemptions also apply to certain sports, turf and other industries.
Bore users are allowed to flush irrigation systems once a week on their rostered days, either before 9am or after 6pm, for about two minutes per station.
Watering rosters and the daytime sprinkler ban still applies to all other regions of the State.
Fact File
Winter sprinkler ban applies to users of scheme water and garden bores in Perth, Mandurah and the South-West
Licensed bore owners include local governments, schools, golf courses, Government departments, universities, TAFE campuses, major parks, racecourses and businesses irrigating areas of non-commercial turf, lawn and gardens
Members of the public can report sprinkler ban breaches by phoning 13 10 39
More information at http://www.water.wa.gov.au or http://www.watercorporation.com.au
Minister's office - 6552 6700
