FORGETTING to turn off your reticulation on Thursday could cost you $100 as the winter sprinkler ban comes into effect.
Water Minister Dave Kelly has reminded households and businesses in Perth, Mandurah and parts of the South-West and Great Southern regions to turn off their garden sprinklers for winter.
From June 1 until August 31, there is a total sprinkler ban in effect – even for bore water users.
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READ NOWHand watering is permitted and customers can apply for an exemption to establish new lawns.
Breaching the winter sprinkler ban can result in a $100 fine if witnessed by a Water Corporation inspector.
“Western Australia is one of three places in the world that is being hardest hit by climate change,” Mr Kelly said.
“While we did have some unseasonable summer rainfall in February, it made little difference to water sources dependent on our climate – dams and groundwater.
“So far autumn has been relatively dry, with no rainfall recorded at all in April in the metropolitan area.
“It is more important than ever that we keep up our waterwise habits during winter and turn off sprinklers.”
About 40 per cent of all household water is used outside the home, so there is a significant amount of water to be saved by switching sprinklers off throughout winter.
Last year, the sprinkler ban saved 4.8 billion litres of scheme water – which is enough to fill more than 2,100 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
If people witness anyone breaching the winter sprinkler ban, they can report this online at the Water Corporation website or phone 13 10 39.
The winter sprinkler ban came into effect in 2010, and last year the Water Corporation issued 2258 warnings about winter sprinkler use, and 1196 infringements – the most on record.
That was up significantly on the 244 infringements issued in 2015.
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