Water Restrictions (Southern Part of WA)
Background
What are water restrictions?
Water restrictions can be imposed in times of drought or emergency to reduce demand to preserve water supply for essential needs. Water restrictions target non essential use of water such as garden reticulation, swimming pools and hosing down paved areas, paths, roads and buildings.
Water restrictions and permanent Water Efficiency Measures
In October 2007 new permanent water efficiency measures were introduced in Western Australia.
For the Perth metropolitan area and towns south of Jurien they make stage 4 measures permanent (sprinkler roster 2 days a week) when outside water use is from scheme supply. For garden bore owners in this part of the State, stage 3 measures (sprinkler roster 3 days a week) are now in force. These measures are designed to maintain healthy gardens with less water.
| Stage 1 (mild) | No watering gardens using reticulation between 9 am and 6 pm. |
| Stage 2 (mild) | As above but also:
|
| Stage 3 (moderate) | Stages 1 and 2 and garden watering using reticulation only three days per week. |
| Stage 4 (moderate) | Stage 1 and 2 and garden watering using reticulation only twice a week. |
How effective are restrictions?
Water restrictions have been introduced to the Perth Metropolitan Area on a number of occasions over the past 50 years. Restrictions have been effective in reducing use. On the lifting of restrictions, usage generally increased although not to pre-restriction levels.
Since 2001, stage 4 restrictions have been in place for customers of the Integrated Water Supply Scheme due to significantly reduced levels in dams caused by poor winter rainfalls. This scheme supplies Perth, Mandurah, some South West towns, Kalgoorlie-Boulder and wide agricultural areas adjacent to the Goldfields Pipeline. It is estimated that these restrictions have saved almost 220 gigalitres over the past five years – just under 45 gigalitres a year.
Enforcement of water restrictions
The Water Corporation monitors compliance with restrictions.. The public can also contact the Water Corporation to report breaches of restrictions. Since July 2004 the number of infringement notices has steadily increased while the number of warning notices peaked in July 2005 then dropped over the past two years. About 2000 infringement notices are issued annually.
Current Situation
Remaining restrictions are classified as stage 5-7. These are not currently in place.
Stage | Impact | Annual reduction in demand |
| 5 (moderate) | As for stage 4 except garden watering using reticulation only once a week. | 10 gigalitres a year |
| 6 (severe) | As for stage 4 except no garden watering using reticulation (hand held hose only). | 25 gigalitres a year |
| 7 (emergency) |
| 55 gigalitres a year |
Sustainability Considerations
| Economic | Social and Cultural | Environmental |
| Potential negative impact on property prices through loss of gardens. | Loss to the community of established gardens and public open space (particularly playing fields). | Conserves water and energy. |
| Loss of business for horticultural, swimming and leisure enterprises. | Loss of green spaces in Perth is severe due to very low summer rainfall. | Promotes the use of waterwise and native gardens. |
The Water Corporation has sought to address the major sustainability considerations by:
- consulting with industries before introducing restrictions to manage the impact;
- enhancing and expanding Waterwise programs to reduce the risk of severe restrictions and help communities to be more water efficient;
- advertising to inform the community of restrictions and their importance; and
- planning to reduce the risk of the imposition of severe restrictions.