Toughest water restrictions ever for Sydney May 31, 2005 - 9:43AM
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NSW Utilities Minister Frank Sartor today announced unprecedented level-three water restrictions, with the city's dam levels down to less than 40 per cent capacity.
While they represent the toughest water restrictions imposed in Sydney ever, the State Government backed off from more draconian restrictions such as a total ban on washing cars.
Bans on filling or topping up swimming pools were also delayed until the situation worsened.
Sydney residents will be allowed to water gardens on two days only - down from three. This includes "drip irrigation". Sprinkler systems are still banned.
Watering by hose will be allowed only on Wednesdays and Sundays, Mr Sartor said this morning. Watering was previously also allowed on Fridays.
There would also be a fourfold increase in on-the-spot fines for stealing water.
Under level-three restrictions, on-the-spot water-stealing fines will jump from $550 to $2200, with fines of up to $50,000 if a case goes to court. The fines will apply from July 1.
Advertisement AdvertisementExemptions, including those for businesses such as car dealerships, will also be tightened.
"We're going to remove some of the exceptions, particularly for the used car dealers," Mr Sartor told ABC radio. "Their three days a week [of being able to rinse off cars] will now be brought down to one. They haven't actually pulled their weight.
"They had promised me they were going to cut their work by something like 40 per cent; most of them actually increased it and so they're getting cut back to one day a week."
Mr Sartor said the Government would also increase tariffs to business and ramp up incentive schemes.
He said a $30 million personal water-saver incentive scheme would kick in next financial year.
New controls were also being rolled out in homes to reduce water use by 40 per cent, he said.
The level-three restrictions:
No hosing of lawns and gardens except hand-held hosing before 10am and after 4pm on Wednesdays and Sundays. (Hosing on Fridays has now been banned). No hoses for washing vehicles or hard surfaces. There are exemptions for swimming pools and containers, which may be filled by hose. No sprinklers or other water systems at any time. Fire hoses may be used only for fire-fighting purposes. No filling of new or renovated pools greater than 10,000 litres except with a permit from Sydney Water. There are exemptions for recycled water from "non-potable" pipework. There are exemptions for flushing boat engines and safety components on boat trailers including brakes and wheels; cleaning of bilges; use of water for public health and fire-fighting related activities.
Level-two restrictions that are in place until tomorrow:
No hosing of lawns and gardens except hand-held hosing before 10am and after 4pm on Wednesday, Fridays and Sundays. No filling of new or renovated pools greater than 10,000 litres except with a permit from Sydney Water. No sprinklers or watering systems at any time No hosing of hard surfaces, including vehicles, at any time. AAP
