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Winter Sprinkler Switch-off - Why is it Important?
over 1 year ago
Winter Sprinkler Switch-off - Why is it Important?
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Why switching off matters
If we all work together and switch off our sprinklers, we’ll save around 5 billion litres of water this winter.
For over a decade now, over 90% of Western Australians have shown their support by switching off before 1 June and letting mother nature take care of their gardens, saving water for our drier months.
Winter brings cooler temperatures and lower evaporation rates, meaning the plants in our gardens don’t need as much water. Most lawns also go dormant over winter, so you can leave your sprinklers off and let the rain take care of your lawn and garden instead.
Even throughout the year, your garden isn’t as thirsty as you think. The water needs of your lawn and garden change with the seasons. Adjust your sprinkler run times with the ‘Seasonal Adjustment’ setting on your irrigation controller.

What if I don’t switch-off?
The switch-off has been a permanent water saving initiative since 2010, and when everyone does their bit we bank significant water savings that can be used for the warmer months that follow.
Anyone in the Winter Sprinkler Switch-off area spotted using their sprinklers between 1 June and 31 August risks a $100 fine. Our inspectors are out 7 days a week and all complaints are investigated.
Bore water is just as precious as tap water and a resource that should be used wisely. If our inspectors see a bore user using their sprinklers during the Winter Sprinkler Switch-off period they will pass on the breach to the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, who issue infringements and are responsible for bore water licensing. There are some exemptions for bore water use, such as those using bore water for operational purposes.

Winter Sprinkler Switch-off and businesses
Winter Sprinkler Switch-off is mandatory for both households and businesses. This includes licensed groundwater users such as local governments, schools, golf courses, government departments, universities, TAFE campuses, major parks, race grounds and businesses that irrigate areas of non-commercial turf, lawn and gardens.
The exceptions to this are active sporting locations, such as schools and local government ovals, which are permitted to irrigate during winter due to their frequent use, safety considerations and amenity planting.

New gardens and testing your irrigation
For a new lawn or garden you need to apply for a watering exemption to use your sprinklers during the Winter Sprinkler Switch-off period. You'll need to meet the conditions applicable to your exemption or be at risk of a fine up to $500. Breaches are the responsibility of the property owner, not the person who installed the lawn, plants or sprinkler system.
We advise you to check your irrigation system after a power black-out. If you need to test your irrigation system, following a black-out, repair or installation, please visit the testing your water page on Water Corporation to find out when you can undertake the testing and what you need to know.
If you have a bore connected to your irrigation system, maintenance testing is permitted during the Winter Sprinkler Switch-off. 

Report a breach
You can report a sprinkler breach at any time by completing out a sprinkler breach form located on the Water Corporation website.

Source: watercorporation.com.au