Permanent Water Saving Rules (PWSR) are 5 common-sense rules that help everyone to use water efficiently and avoid waste. They don't affect the use of grey, tank, bore or recycled water.
The rules apply at all times unless water restrictions are in place. Find out if there are water restrictions in your town.
5 Permanent Water Saving Rules
1. Trigger nozzle
- Use a leak-free hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle at any time.
2. Watering systems
- Watering systems can be used on residential or commercial gardens and lawns any day between 6pm and 10am.
- A bucket or watering can may be used at any time.
3. Public spaces
- Public gardens, lawns and playing surfaces can be watered at any time with a hand-held hose, bucket or watering can.
- A watering system fitted with a rain or soil moisture sensor can be used any day between 6pm and 10am.
4. Water features
- Only use fountains or water features that recirculate water.
5. Hard surfaces
- Use a high pressure hose, hand-held hose or bucket to water hard surfaces during construction or renovations or to remove a hazard.
- Hard surfaces can be cleaned once every 3 months if staining develops.
Water Restrictions
In times of drought or other water shortage, there may be a need to change water-use behaviours in the community. The Water Restriction By-laws set out the four stages of restrictions on the use of water that can be applied when it is considered necessary to conserve water supplies.
The by-laws are meant to be an easy to understand and straightforward guide for community members to follow if restrictions are implemented.
Click here to view our Water Restriction By-laws.
Last updated on 12 Jun 2025