• SA Water customers supplied with River Murray water and those on the southern Fleurieu
• Water taken directly from the River Murray for domestic use, including water used by shack owners
• For details of other restrictions across the State visit the Drought Response and Water Restrictions page

Permanent water conservation measures are in place for other customers (including Kangaroo Island) and Eyre Peninsula is covered by a separate set of restrictions.

LEVEL 3 RESTRICTIONS AT A GLANCE

DOMESTIC GARDENS AND LAWNS

New watering times commenced on Sunday 6 April 2008 to coincide with the end of daylight saving. From 6 April the enhanced level 3 watering hours for drippers and hand-held hoses fitted with a trigger nozzle are:

Watering cans and buckets (filled directly from a tap) can be used at any time. Sprinklers and other watering systems are not allowed.

SPORTS GROUNDS AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES

• Hand-held hoses fitted with a trigger nozzle may be used on any day but only before 8am or after 8pm.
• Watering cans and buckets (filled directly from a tap) may be used at any time.
• Sprinkler systems may only be used once a week for a period between the hours of 8pm and 8am. The day of the week and time of operation for each of the sprinkler stations is to be determined in conjunction with SA Water and subject to a permit
• Testing of sprinklers will not be permitted without prior approval of SA Water.

HARD SURFACES

• Water must not be used to wash paved or concreted areas, decking, walls or roofs of a building at any time unless it is necessary to do so to protect public health, ensure safety of people using the area, ensure the health and welfare of animals using the area or in case of accident, fire or other emergency.
• Windows may be cleaned from a bucket filled directly from a tap.

FOUNTAINS, PONDS AND WATER FEATURES

• A fountain, pond or water feature that doesn’t recycle water must not be operated and must not be topped up unless it supports fish.
• The level of water in a fountain, pond or water feature that recycles water may be topped up only with water from a hand held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle or bucket. 
• Fountains, ponds and water features must not be refilled after emptying.

SWIMMING POOLS AND SPAS

• New pools or spas may be filled only under the authority of a permit from SA Water. A permit will not be granted unless there is proof a cover has been purchased to prevent water loss through evaporation.
• A permit is required to refill an existing pool or spa if it has been drained completely or more than half.
• The level of water in a swimming pool or spa that has been previously filled with water may be topped up or maintained only with water from a hand held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle or bucket.
• Children’s wading pools must not be filled with more than 250 litres of water.

WASHING CARS AND BOATS

• Water must not be used to wash a vehicle except by means of a commercial car wash or a bucket filled directly from a tap.
• Hoses are not to be used.
• Boat owners are permitted to flush out motors and rinse off metal trailers to prevent corrosion.
• Vehicles that have been driven on the beach may also be rinsed off underneath the vehicle and the wheel arches of the vehicle to prevent corrosion.
• Commercial vehicles exceeding 5 gross tonnes require a Water Restriction Permit to allow the washing of these vehicles via high pressure low volume trigger operated equipment.

BUILDING / CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES

Water must not be used for dust suppression and compaction unless it is applied from a hand held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle or directly from a motor vehicle designed and approved to carry/deposit water.

FARMS OR RURAL PROPERTIES USING SA WATER SUPPLIES

• A farm dam or tank must not be filled with water unless it is being used for domestic or stock consumption or fire fighting. A permit is required to fill a dam or tank for any other reason.
• If a rainwater tank has been plumbed directly into a house by a licenced plumbing contrator it is acceptable to have a quantity of mains water in the tank.

COMMERCIAL NURSERIES AND GARDEN CENTRES

• Hand-held hoses fitted with a trigger nozzle, watering cans, buckets or drip-watering systems may be used at any time to water plants in commercial nurseries and garden centres.
• Sprinkler systems may be used between the hours of 8pm and 8am.
• On days when the maximum temperature is forecast to exceed 30 degrees, sprinkler systems may also be used between the hours of 1pm and 2pm.

CARAVAN AND CAMPING SITES

• Common areas are to be watered no more than once per week between the hours of 8pm and 8am via sprinklers. The day of the week and time of operation for each of the sprinkler stations is to be determined in conjunction with SA Water and subject to a permit
• Hand held hoses fitted with trigger nozzle may be used on any day but only before 8am or after 8pm.
• Watering cans and buckets (filled directly from a tap) can be used at any time

October to March

Grassed Areas that have been damaged by cars, caravans and/or tents may be watered with a sprinkler not more than 30 minutes on the day the area is vacated.

If the grassed areas are not being used then they may be watered with a sprinkler no more than once per week for no more than 30 minutes

April to September

Grassed Areas that have been damaged by cars, caravans and/or tents may be watered with a sprinkler no more than once per week at any time for 30 minutes.

Undamaged areas may be watered no more than once per week at any time for half an hour.


Permanent Residents

Must adhere to the level 3 restrictions for domestic customers as outlined above.

DEFINITIONS:
Drip-feed irrigation system - means an irrigation system (including a micro-spray system) that delivers water to plants in drops or other small quantities by means of underground or surface pipes or tubes.

Micro-jet system - means an irrigation system that delivers water through water-misting spray heads at a flow rate of not more than 0.5 litres of water per minute per outlet.

High pressure low volume water cleaner - means a device, fitted with a trigger nozzle, that forces water, by means of a pump, at high pressure through the trigger nozzle at a flow rate of less than 9 litres per minute.

Trigger nozzle - means a device that automatically shuts off the flow of water through a hose or other item to which it is attached (or of which it forms a part) unless pressure is maintained by hand on a trigger or other mechanism forming part of the device.

External paved area - means any area outside a building (whether or not it is sheltered by a roof) which is covered in paving, concrete, bitumen or other material. Walls, windows and roofs are excluded.

Verge - a strip of lawn/garden that is separated from the front lawn/garden by a footpath, wall, or fence. Where a lawn or garden extends uninterrupted from the house to the kerb then the whole site can be watered in line with the level 3 restrictions.