Water restrictions have been enacted in many specific cities and regions in Australia, which is the Earth's driest inhabited continent, in response to chronic water shortages resulting from the widespread drought. Depending upon the location, these can include restrictions on watering lawns, using sprinkler systems, washing vehicles, hosing pavement, refilling swimming pools, etc. Overpopulation, evidence of drying climates, coupled with corresponding reductions in the supply of drinking water has led various state governments to consider alternative water sources to supplement existing sources, and to implement "water inspectors" who can issue penalties to those who waste water. Many states describe the different levels of water restrictions in terms of "stages": starting at Stage 1, for the least restrictive, going up as far as Stage 8. The highest level reached in the current drought has been stage 7 for Kingaroy. There are different definitions given to each "stage" in different states.
Water restrictions by state or territory Australia's national water consumption increased by 11.5% in 2023–24, reflecting higher irrigation demand and drier conditions. All mainland states have invested in large desalination plants to supplement rainfall-dependent water supplies. Melbourne's water storages experienced some of the lowest rainfall and inflows on record during 2024–25, similar to the worst years of the Millennium Drought, with inflows 36% below the 30-year average from July 2024 to June 2025. Permanent Water Saving Rules have applied across Victoria since 2011. The Bureau of Meteorology maintains a national Water Restrictions website providing current restriction information for the whole of Australia, searchable by state, territory and water agency.
Australian Capital Territory
There are presently four stages of temporary water restrictions which can be imposed by ACTEW Corporation:
Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4Sprinklers and irrigation:Any day, after 6pm & before 9amDrippers only, 7–10am & 7–10pmNo reticulationHand-watering gardens and lawns:No restrictionsAlternate days, 7–10am & 7–10pmNo watering lawns; watering plants alternate days, 7–10am & 7–10pmGreywater onlySwimming pools:No emptying or filling; Topping-up allowedNo topping-up, emptying or fillingCar washing:Once a week, or at commercial car washOnce a month, or at commercial car washOnly at commercial car washesNo car washingWindow cleaning:Only with bucket or high-pressure, low-volume cleanerNo window cleaning
Canberra was subject to Stage 1 restrictions from 1 November 2005, which were increased to Stage 2 after a year on 1 November 2006. The continuing drought led to a further increase to Stage 3 from 16 December 2006; the restrictions were maintained at Stage 3 throughout 2007 and 2008. From 1 November 2010 Canberra moved to Permanent Water Saving Rules due to heavy rain bringing water storages close to capacity.
New South Wales
The different classification levels of water restrictions in New South Wales vary widely, and are set by the different authorities responsible for water throughout the state.
Sydney
The following levels have been used by Sydney Water to describe the different stages of water restrictions it has imposed. Level 3 Water Restriction Information is current as of 2009. Level 1 and Level 2 Water Restriction Information is current as of November 2019.
Level 1 (Current) Level 2 (Not Current – 10 December 2019 – 29 February 2020) Level 3 Sprinklers and irrigation: No standard sprinklers at any time Drip irrigation can be used Watering systems can be used with soil moisture sensor, rain sensor, or automated weather adjustment only No standard sprinklers, soaker/weeping hoses, mist sprayers, tap timers, or watering systems at any time Sprinklers are not permitted to be used for children to play under
Before 10am and after 4pm every day:
Drip irrigation systems for a maximum of 15 minutes a day Systems with a soil moisture/rain sensor, or automated weather adjustment for a maximum of 15 minutes per dayNo sprinklers at any timeWatering gardens and lawns: Hose with trigger nozzle can be used before 10 am and after 4 pm every day Watering cans and buckets permitted New turf can be watered for one week as per turf instructions Hoses cannot be left running unattended Gardens & lawns can be watered before 10 am & after 4 pm using only a watering can or bucket (for any amount of time) Hoses cannot be used for garden or lawn watering New turf can be watered with a hand-held trigger nozzle hose for up to four weeks, only following the Sydney Water plan found here New turf greater than 30 m2 (continuous) can use sprinklers and watering systems in place of a hose, only following the Sydney Water plan found here 2 times weekly, before 10 am or after 4 pm (as of 2009)Vehicles, Boats, and Buildings: Washing vehicles and/or buildings permitted only with a hose connected to a trigger nozzle High-pressure cleaning equipment permitted Washing of bins with trigger nozzle or high-pressure equipment permittedVehicles Vehicles, trailered vessels, & trailers are only permitted to be cleaned with a bucket & sponge, or at a commercial car wash Hoses are not permitted to wash vehicles
Boats
Boats can be washed for 10 minutes using trigger nozzle hose after being in seawater Boat motors can be flushed with a bucket or a purpose-designed flushing device Boat water tanks can be filled using an attended hose – tank is not to overflow Bilges can be cleaned using a high-pressure cleaner or trigger nozzle hose Safety components of boat trailers can be cleaned (eg. wheel bearings or brakes) using a high-pressure cleaner or trigger hose
Buildings
Residents and businesses:
Washing of garbage bins is permitted using water from a bucket or a trigger nozzle hose A bucket and cloth/sponge is permitted for washing of windows or other glass surfaces. Alternatively, professional window cleaners who have an exemption permit can be used No cleaning of walls, roofing, gutters or hard surfaces with a hose or high pressure cleaner as part of general cleaning No use of water for dust suppression without a permit, unless there's no alternative water source reasonably available Leaving hoses and taps running unattended is not permittedNo current informationSwimming pools: Permitted to top up swimming pool or spa Permit and pool cover required to fill new or renovated pool Permitted to top up an existing pool or spa, using a trigger nozzle hose, watering can or bucket for a maximum of 15 minutes a day. (Only to top up to replace water lost through evaporation, not to replace water deliberately removed from the pool or spa) No filling of pools over 500L without a permit No use of children's toys that connect to a hose, such as a 'slip n' slide' Only recycled/grey/rain/bore water can be used to fill/top up your pond or water feature. Drinking water is not permitted to be used.Hard surfaces: No hosing hard surfaces (paths, driveways, and buildings) as part of general cleaning Spot cleaning of hard surfaces permitted only for health, safety, or emergency reasons only Not permitted to clean hard surfaces such as paths, driveways and paved areas with a hose/high pressure cleaner as part of general cleaning A broom is to be used to clean paths, driveways and other hard surfaces Spot cleaning hard surfaces for health, safety or emergency reasons, using a trigger nozzle hose or high pressure cleaner is permittedNo hosing hard surfaces (paths, driveways, cars, floors and buildings)Exemptions (These are not subject to water restrictions, but must be used wisely) Using drinking water for firefighting, testing and related activities is not restricted. Recycled water (some areas of Sydney from purple pipes) Grey-water (from sinks, showers, washing machines etc) Rainwater (not topped up from, or switched to, the drinking water supply) Bore water (some government restrictions apply) River water (you need to have a licence) Water required to sustain life or structural integrity in a pond, lake, or water feature must have an exemption permit.No current information Sydney Water Restrictions (2019–present)
Level 1 Restrictions:
In late May 2019, it was announced that Sydney Water will be reinstating Level 1 water restrictions throughout the greater Sydney area. These restrictions began on 1 June 2019, as a result of an extremely dry year. As of 29 May 2019, Greater Sydney water supply levels are 53.4%, which is significantly lower than May 2018, in which supply levels were 73% in major catchments.
Level 2 Restrictions:
On 21 November 2019, the NSW government announced Level 2 water restrictions. These restrictions commenced on 10 December 2019, replacing the level 1 water restrictions. Level 2 restrictions have been brought in earlier than the Metropolitan Water Plan (2017) recommends, with dam levels currently at 46.1%. Premier Gladys Berejiklian, and Minister for Water, Property and Housing, Melinda Pavey announced the restrictions early as a precautionary measure, and to stave off the implementation of Level 3 restrictions later on.
Level 3 Restrictions:
Upon the commencement of the Level 2 water restrictions in December 2019, Minister for Water, Property and Housing, Melinda Pavey announced that Level 3 water restrictions should be expected early in the year of 2020.
Sydney Water Restrictions (2003–2009)
Falling dam levels prompted Sydney Water to impose Level 1 water restrictions on the Sydney area from 1 October 2003. When these restrictions failed to stem the reduction in the city's water supplies as a result of continuing drought, and with dam levels dropping below 50 per cent, Level 2 water restrictions were introduced from 1 June 2004. Further reductions in dam levels to below 40 per cent of capacity led to an increase to Level 3 water restrictions from 1 June 2005. Level 3 water restrictions were in place as of February 2008. Since June 2009, though, Sydney Water replaced water restrictions with Water Wise Rules. The Rules include: All hoses must now have a trigger nozzle. Hand held hoses, sprinklers and watering systems may be used only before 10 am and after 4 pm on any day – to avoid the heat of the day. No hosing of hard surfaces such as paths and driveways. Washing vehicles is allowed. Fire hoses may be used for fire fighting activities only.
To deal with its water shortage, New South Wales has followed the same path as Western Australia, in which a desalination plant for Sydney was built at an estimated cost of $1.3 billion.NSW goes against flow on water law , The Sydney Morning Herald The Sydney Desalination Plant is to be turned on when Sydney's drinking water level reaches 60% capacity, and water restrictions will be in place when drinking water reaches 50% capacity.
Sydney Water has imposed fines of $220 for violations of the rules for individuals, $550 for businesses, and $2,200 for water theft. Rules are enforced by Sydney Water staff through random checks.
Regional NSW
As different towns in regional New South Wales take their drinking water from different sources, different levels of water restrictions apply. The levels or stages which apply in certain towns are as follows: Albury – no restrictions Armidale – Level 5 from October 2019 Bathurst – Level 3 from 26 November 2019 Cobar – Stage 5 Dubbo – From Saturday 1 June 2019 Level 2 Water Restrictions are in place. Gosford – Stage 4 from 1 October 2006 Goulburn had Stage 5 water restrictions imposed from 1 October 2004, and went on to win a National Water Conservation Award for Excellence due to the water which had been conserved.Goulburn wins water-saving award , ABC News 29 November 2006 From 5 July 2007, Goulburn relaxed its water restrictions to Level 3. Griffith – Stage 2 introduced on 27 November 2007 Leeton – Level 3 introduced on 9 October 2007 but lowered to level 2 on 1 November 2008