How do I apply for an IPOS Permit?
When is the irrigation season?
Can SA Water undertake an Irrigation Audit?
Once I've submitted an application, how long will the approval process take?
When is a site inspection required?
Does an IPOS Permit allocation accommodate water loss eg burst pipes?
Does an IPOS Permit allocation accommodate high traffic areas?
Does an IPOS Permit allocation accommodate sites which do not have separate water meters?
Should a separate water or flow meters be installed?
What is the cost of a separate meter or flow device?
How do I know which water meter records the usage for the irrigation system?
How do I read a water meter?
Where do I send monthly water meter readings?
What will happen if I don't send monthly water meter readings to SA Water?
Who do I contact if my water meter is not working?
What happens if my water meter is exchanged?
Is a backflow device required?
Do sites with small turf areas require an IPOS Permit?
Are sensors worthwhile?
What days can I water sites when I have an IPOS Permit?
Can I use a fertiliser dispensor attached to a hand held hose for small sites?
Can I water in fertiliser on an oval during the day if I have an IPOS Permit?
Does an IPOS Permit allow for the testing of irrigation systems?
Does an allocation include the garden beds and subsequent recreational lawn areas?
Can aesthetic lawn areas within grounds be irrigated via an irrigation system?
Once an allocation has been received can it be rolled over from one month to the other?
What happens during months of zero allocation if weather conditions are unseasonably hot and dry or anticipated rainfall is not received? |
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How do I apply for an IPOS Permit?
Download an application form from the SA Water website or email IPOS Administration (ipos.admin@sawater.com.au) or telephone 08 7424 3719. |
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When is the irrigation season?
An irrigation season is the period when turf will require irrigation dependent on a shortfall of rainfall as compared with plant water use and evaporation. This period generally falls between October through to April each year, although in regions where there is less rainfall and it is generally warmer the season may start earlier and or finish later. |
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Can SA Water undertake an irrigation audit?
No SA Water does not carry out irrigation audits. However, we can supply a list of accredited South Australian auditors compiled by Irrigation Australia. |
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Once I have submitted an application, how long will the approval process take?
The current turnaround for applications is about 20 business days. Assessment involves numerous aspects including confirming area measurements, account details, water meter details and climate data.. |
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When is a site inspection required?
If we require further information a site inspection will be arranged and an SA Water representative will meet with the responsible person. As stated in the IPOS Permit terms and conditions, a site inspection can be conducted at SA Water's discretion to ensure a permit has not been breached. |
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Does an IPOS Permit allocation accommodate water loss eg burst pipes?
Along with your permit, SA Water will provide a consumption record spreadsheet for recording all irrigation events on a month by month basis. Any problems or difficulties arising during these periods (eg a burst pipe) should also be recorded. Such incidents will then be taken into account. You will not be penalised from your IPOS allocation. |
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Does an IPOS Permit allocation accommodate high traffic areas?
No, an allocation is based on the soil water requirement for the whole site. High traffic areas will require more intensive maintenance to relieve the impact of high traffic and not greater amounts of water. |
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Does an IPOS Permit allocation accommodate sites which do not have separate water meters?
Permit holders are required to record meter readings before and after an irrigation event to establish the amount of water used during each event. Provided the amount used is in line with your allocation and you keep accurate records as outlined in the permit conditions, all other water use can be attributed to other consumption areas. N.B. SA Water may ask you to explain excessive use if consumption is abnormally high. |
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Should a separate water or flow meter be installed?
Fitting a separate water meter is highly recommended so that accurate irrigation consumption can be recorded for your site. If overall site consumption is higher than anticipated a separate meter will also help you to identify any problems or difficulties more easily. |
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What is the cost of a separate meter or flow device?
Separate meters and flow devices vary in price depending on manufacture, distribution and size. It is recommended you seek several quotes prior to purchase. |
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How do I know which water meter records the usage for the irrigation system?
If your site has multiple meters, you should read all meters the evening prior to an irrigation event and record the details. The following morning read the meters again and compare the details with the previous night. Water consumption for irrigation will be evident in these readings. |
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How do I read a water meter?
While there are a number of different types of water meters all water meters are read the same way. The numbers on the display represent the number of litres (or part of a litre). The white figures on a black background represent kilolitres (Kls) – 1 kilolitre = 1000 litres. The red figures on the white background represent litres. For reporting purposes we require you to record the figures in white on a black background. |
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Where do I send monthly water meter readings?
When you have completed a month’s irrigation, consumption figures and event history should be forwarded to iposadmin@sawater.com.au |
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What will happen if I don't send monthly water meter readings to SA Water?
Failure to submit monthly meter readings to SA Water are a breach of the IPOS Permit terms and conditions. Breaches will be followed up by IPOS Administration. Ongoing breaches may result in the cancellation of the permit and a return to current standard restrictions. |
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Who do I contact if my water meter is not working?
If your meter is not functioning correctly contact United Water on 1300 883 121 for service or replacement. Make a note of the occurrence in your meter read spreadsheet including the serial numbers stamped into the body of the new meter. |
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What happens if my water meter is exchanged?
A note about the replacement of a water meter should be made in the consumption record spreadsheet and new meter serial numbers should also be recorded. |
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Is a backflow device required?
Any irrigation system with the potential for contaminated water to be drawn back into the main supply must be fitted with a backflow prevention device. |
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Do sites with small turf areas require an IPOS Permit?
Generally sites less than 1000m2 are not issued with an IPOS Permit. If considered important (generally discussed during a site inspection) a standard level 3 permit allowing irrigation once per week via sprinklers can be arranged. Details in this permit are agreed upon with an SA Water representative and outlined in the permit including irrigation run times and nominated day of operation. |
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Are sensors worthwhile?
Any quality water saving device designed to help avoid unnecessary irrigation is an advantage. However, these products should be well researched and installed by professionals. |
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What days can I water sites when I have an IPOS Permit?
An IPOS Permit allows you the flexibility to water turf when required regardless of the day of the week. However, consideration should be made on nights of application to avoid activities on the site and aid in the prevention of vandalism. |
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Can I use a fertiliser dispenser attached to a hand held hose for small sites?
Yes, fertiliser can be applied from a dispensing device fitted to the end of a hose or fertiliser may be spread on the turf surface and hosed using a hose fitted with a trigger nozzle within your allocated permit times or current water restriction times. |
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Can I water in fertiliser on an oval during the day if I have an IPOS Permit?
Fertilising should be scheduled to take place just prior to an irrigation event. However, if this is not possible, fertiliser may be watered in during the day provided a Fertilising Permit has been obtained from SA Water, for 10 minutes per station only. An IPOS Permit does not allow fertiliser to be watered in during the hours of daylight (between 8am to 8pm). Ground staff or a representative of your organisation must be present on site while this occurs. On the day fertilisation is to occur you must contact the SA Water Restriction Hotline (1800 130 952) to advise of the activity. |
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Does an IPOS Permit allow for the testing of irrigation systems?
No an IPOS Permit does not allow for the testing of irrigation. However, a Testing of Irrigation Permit may be obtained from SA Water if required. Testing is allowed for two minutes per station only. Ground staff or a representative of your organisation must be present on site while this occurs. On the day of testing you must contact the SA Water Restriction Hotline (1800 130 952) to advise of the activity. |
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Does an allocation include the garden beds and subsequent recreational lawn areas?
An IPOS Permit allocation only covers a sporting field or an approved recreation or activity area. All other subsequent lawns less than 1000m2 are required to have a standard level 3 Exemption Permit to water one day per week for an agreed period of time. This will be discussed and approved with an SA Water representative. All garden beds will be in line with current restrictions. These irrigated areas do not have any influence on your IPOS allocation. |
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Can aesthetic lawn areas within grounds be irrigated via an irrigation system?
Aesthetic lawn areas may only be irrigated via dripper systems and hand-held hoses fitted with a trigger nozzle for a maximum of three hours per week during current restriction times. See the Level 3 Enhanced Water Restrictions pages on the SA Water website for current restriction information. |
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Once an allocation has been received can it be rolled over from one month to the other?
If climatic conditions call for the prevention of an irrigation event in a particular month, this event can be banked and used if needed later in the season if conditions call for an extra event. Notes to this effect should be made in your consumption record spreadsheet provided with your permit. |
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What happens during months of zero allocation if weather conditions are unseasonably hot and dry or required rainfall is not received?
SA Water monitors prevailing climatic conditions and as a consequence we are aware if conditions are abnormally hot or dry. If your turf areas are suffering due to abnormal climate conditions, contact IPOS Administration by phone (08 7424 3719) or email iposadmin@sawater.com.au. To track climate statistics visit the Bureau of Meteorology website. |
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