Exemption conditions

All exemption requests must be submitted in writing to:

ACTEW Corporation
Water Conservation Office
GPO Box 366
CANBERRA ACT 2601
By fax: 02 6248 3567
By email: waterconservation@actew.com.au

Online exemption forms may be found here.

For more information contact the Water Conservation Office on 6248 3131.

Conditions - applicable to all exemptions

Applications may be granted where there is a compelling health or public hygiene reason or where compliance with Stage 3 Water Restrictions is likely to cause disproportionate or unintended financial damage to the applicant.

  • All exemptions granted are valid only for the period specified in the exemption notice.
  • ACTEW will specify any exemption conditions in the approval notice.
  • In considering exemption applications, ACTEW will, wherever possible:
    • not permit watering between the hours of 11 am and 5 pm during spring, summer and autumn;
    • assess strategies for making savings in water use.
  • All exemption notices must be displayed at the premises and clearly visible from adjoining roads and footpaths.
  • ACTEW reserves the right to:
    • inspect properties to audit compliance with exemption conditions;
    • revoke or suspend an exemption if water use contravenes exemption conditions; or
    • revoke or suspend an exemption if information provided in support of an exemption application is found to be false or misleading.
  • Additionally, ACTEW may, by notice published in the Canberra Times or broadcast on local television or radio, revoke or suspend all exemptions.

Exemption Guidelines

Private or Residential

  • Gardens and lawns
  • Paved area, window or building cleaning
  • Ponds and fountains
  • Swimming pools
  • Vehicles
  • Water storage tanks

Public

  • Lawn and plants at parks, sports amenities, golf courses and public gardens
  • Paved area, window or building cleaning
  • Ponds and fountains
  • Swimming pools
  • Water storage tanks

Commercial or Business

  • Commercial nurseries and gardens
  • Landscape contractors
  • Paved areas
  • Pool servicing/maintenance contractors
  • Vehicles
  • Windows and buildings
  • Construction and related activities