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Water conservation

Conservation of water is crucial, especially during drought conditions. There are many ways in which we can all save water, which can also save us money.

Water Restrictions

Sydney Water Corporation introduced Level 3 mandatory restrictions in June 2005. These restrictions stay in place until further notice to all Sydney Water customers

Current restrictions:

  • Hand-held hosing of lawns and gardens and drip irrigation is allowed only on Wednesdays and Sundays before 10 am and after 4pm.
  • Hosing of vehicles at residential premises is permitted only with a trigger nozzle or high-pressure water cleaning equipment (to a maximum of 10 litres per minute).
  • No hosing of hard surfaces such as paths or driveways is allowed at any time.
  • No other watering or sprinkler systems 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 hoses or taps are to be left running unattended, except when filling pools or containers.

Recycled water, bore water and water used for testing fire systems, fire fighting and related activities are excluded from restrictions

The following is permitted at any time:

  • using a hose fitted with a trigger nozzle to clean cars, boats, boat engines, caravans and houses
  • using a hose fitted with a trigger nozzle to water in new plants. This applies to any day before 10 am and after 4 pm for a period of 28 days after purchase (Providing a receipt can be produced on request)
  • watering your garden with a watering can or bucket at any time
  • topping up an existing pool
  • filling a pool of less than 10,000 litres capacity
  • using water from a rainwater tank at any time, provided it is not topped up from Sydney Water's supply

For all the information on water restriction and future changes to restriction visit http://www.sydneywater.com.au/Water4Life/WaterWise/WhenWereWaterRestrictionsIntroduced.cfm.

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Sydney Water Corporation programs for residents

Sydney Water Corporation offers several programs to assist households and schools to conserve water, including:

  • the toilet replacement service, where a qualified plumber will replace your old single flush toilet for a 4 star rated dual flush toilet. For the basic model toilet the cost is $480, which can be paid for in one payment or over four installments on your Sydney Water bill.

  • the Water Fix program, where a qualified plumber will visit your home to repair minor leaks and install water efficient fittings and fixtures, including tap aerators and AAA rated shower heads. From 30 June 2011 this service will cost residential customers $196.

  • free D.I.Y. water saving kits can be ordered through the Sydney Water website. These kits include flow regulators for your showerhead, and aerators for your kitchen and bathroom taps, both of which will reduce your water use and save you money on your water bills.

  • Sydney Water has also developed two online tools to aid residents in selecting plants and developing water regimes for their gardens. The plant selector tool can be found at http://www.sydneywater.com.au/SavingWater/InYourGarden/PlantSelector and the water right tool is available at http://www.ap.urscorp.com/watertool.

For more information on the above mentioned programs visit http://www.sydneywater.com.au/.

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Rainwater tanks

Council encourages the installation of rainwater tanks into existing and new homes to utilise rainwater for gardens and/or laundry use. Tanks must be installed in accordance with Council's Development Control Plan 20 - Exempt and Complying Development. (pdf 184 KB)

 

The NSW Government Home Saver Rebate Program, which offered rebates for installation of rainwater tanks closed on 30 June 2011. Applicants who wish to receive the rebate on eligible installations before 30 June 2011 must have submitted their rebate application to the Office of Environment and Heritage before 5pm on 30 September 2011.

To qualify for the rebate, the rainwater tank must be both:

  • a new tank with a capacity of 2,000 litres or more
  • purchased in full and installed between 1 July 2007 and 30 June 2010.

 

Current projects/policies

Water Savings Action Plan

As a requirement of the New South Wales Government’s Metropolitan Water Plan - Meeting the Challenges - Securing Sydney's Water Future, all Councils were required to prepare a Water Savings Action Plan for their operations, focusing on the high water using facilities.

Council prepared its Water Savings Action Plan and submitted it to the NSW Department of Energy, Utilities and Sustainability for approval. The Plan includes a Corporate Action Plan and separate Water Saving Action Plans for the current 11 sites that have the highest water usage:

There is also a section that outlines strategies that can be investigated and/or applied across the whole of Council’s operations and facilities, including both structural and educational strategies.

A Water Conservation Reduction Target of 40% reduction by 2010 has been set, based on baseline consumption of the 2002-2003 financial year. A Water Conservation Working Party involving relevant staff will be established to oversee the implementation and monitoring of the Action Plans.


Council Admin Building rainwater tankCouncil Administration Building rainwater tank

Council installed a 22,000 litre rainwater tank at its main Administration Building, capturing water from the roof to be used for irrigation and flushing of toilets. Its prominent position at the front of the building on Manning Street aims to encourage members of the community to take the same initiative in their homes and workplaces.



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Water Sensitive Urban Design Policy

Water Sensitive Urban Design aims to incorporate principles such as stormwater source control, stormwater and wastewater re-use, potable water demand reduction and the utilisation of natural flow paths and drainage measures with pervious surfaces. Council has developed a Water Sensitive Urban Design Policy (pdf 1.16 MB) to ensure that building design and development incorporates effective water and soil management measures to implement such principles.

Building Sustainability Index (BASIX)

A new requirement for residential developments came into effect on 1 July 2005 - the Building Sustainability Index (BASIX). BASIX is a web-based planning tool for Councils and proponents of residential dwellings to assess the potential performance of their development against a set of sustainability indices, including water conservation and stormwater. For water, developments will be required to achieve a BASIX rating of 40 for water conservation. Achieving this rating will mean the potential reduction of potable water consumption by 40%. More information about BASIX can be found in the Land section.

External links

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Last updated: Friday 4 January, 2013


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