FAQ's and Definitions

  1. What stage of restrictions currently apply?
  2. What applies under Stage 3 Water Restrictions?
  3. How does the Odds and Evens system work?
  4. How will those looking after large open spaces follow restrictions?
  5. For how long would Water Restrictions be in place?
  6. Who enforces water restrictions regulations in Queanbeyan?
  7. Do water restriction apply to the use of rainwater and greywater?
  8. What is drip irrigation?
  9. Water Restrictions definitions

1. What stage of restrictions currently apply?

Stage 3 Water Restrictions are in force in the ACT from 16 December 2006.

These are mandatory and enforceable. Water Restrictions apply on top of Permanent Water Conservation Measures, which commenced on 31 March 2006.

2. What applies under Stage 3 Water Restrictions?

Full details are available here.

No sprinklers may be used. Watering of lawns not permitted.

For plants: only a hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, a bucket, a watering can or drippers may be used between 7am and 10am and between 7pm and 10pm on alternate days as per the odds and evens system.

3. How does the Odds and Evens system work?

It means that if your street number ends in an odd number you can use water as per restrictions when the date also ends in an odd number. Similarly, if your street number ends in an even number you can water as per restrictions when the date also ends in an even number. It is the street number, not the unit number that applies.

4. How will those looking after large open spaces follow restrictions?

Those managing lawns and plants at public places, sport amenities, golf courses etc will need to achieve the same reduction as the rest of the community; that is 35% . These groups will work with ACTEW to develop and implement strategies for achieving this reduction which, due to the size of the fields, may not necessarily involve following the watering time limits that apply to residents.

5. For how long would Water Restrictions be in place?

It depends on dam levels, water consumption, rainfall and forecasts. ACTEW monitors conditions closely and assesses restriction needs on a continuous basis.

6. Who enforces water restrictions regulations in Queanbeyan?

A service level agreement exists between ACTEW and Queanbeyan City Council. ACTEW supplies water to Queanbeyan at a bulk price, Queanbeyan City Council then manages the distribution and pricing of water according to its own regulations.

The agreement states that Queanbeyan City Council will mirror current ACT water use regulations. Permanent Water Conservation Measures and any Temporary Water Restrictions will therefore be applied by Queanbeyan City Council as well.

For information regarding water management within Queanbeyan, call Queanbeyan City Council on 6298 0233.

7. Do water restrictions apply to the use of rainwater and greywater?

No, water restrictions only apply to the use potable (water from the ACTEW mains). To find out more about alternate water sources click here.

8. What is drip irrigation?

A dripper system releases water in drips through use of low-pressure drip devices placed on or below the ground in close proximity to the root zones of the plants.

In line drip Aquapore
On line drip Shrubbler turned to drip

The following are classed as sprinklers and can only be used in the allocated sprinkler times set under Stage 3 Water Restrictions.

Soaker hose on lawn Sprinkler
Sprinkler turned down Sprinkler
Sprinkler Shrubbler

9. Water Restrictions definitions

  1. "Commercial Nurseries" and "Market Gardens" include any land primarily used to propagate, grow or display plants of any description for the purpose of the sale or other distribution for profit of those plants or the produce of them. "Turf growing" means the propagation, growth and harvesting of lawn turf for sale.
  2. "Dripper system" means a system that releases water in drips through use of low-pressure drip devices placed on or below the ground in close proximity to the root zones of plants.
  3. "High-pressure low-volume cleaner" means a machine which has a pump to increase the pressure and reduce the flow of water delivered from a trigger nozzle.
  4. "Pooling or runoff" means water that either puddles on, or runs off, the surface of the soil when it is saturated.
  5. "Paved Area" means an outside area with a concrete, asphalt, brick, tile, bitumen, timber or similar impervious surface (whether or not it is covered by a roof, pergola or other structure), such as a courtyard, decking, footpath, driveway or street.
  6. "Private" means residential, business and non-Government premises.
  7. "Public" means government places and private places operated for public use.
  8. "Sprinkler" and "Irrigation System" means a device or system designed to distribute water, whether by sprinkling, spraying, dripping, weeping or otherwise.
  9. "Trigger nozzle" means a nozzle, attached to a hand-held hose, which is controlled by (a) a trigger which must be depressed continuously or locked open by hand for water to flow; or (b) a discrete switch or button which can be turned on or off by hand with a single or limited movement.
  10. The "odds and evens" system means that, if a street number ends in an odd number (i.e. 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9), water use on days when the date also ends in an odd number. Similarly, if a street number ends in an even number (i.e. 0, 2, 4, 6 or 8) then water can only be used for a restricted use on days when the date also ends in an even number or on the 31st day of any month.