Stage 2 now in place
Stage 2 Water Restrictions currently apply in the ACT and Queanbeyan and are mandatory and enforceable. Anyone found in breach of the restrictions may be liable for fines started at $200 for an individual or $1,000 for a corporation.
ACT's water restrictions scheme applies to ACTEW's potable water ('drinking' or 'tap' water). Non-potable sources are not restricted in the table below.
Private gardens and lawns
Commercial nurseries, market gardens and turf-growing businesses
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Plants and Lawns
A hand held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, a bucket, a watering can or a dripper system may be used to water lawns and plants between 7am and 10am and between 7pm and 10pm on alternate days as per the "odds and evens" system.
No sprinkler or other irrigation systems may be used.
At all times gardens and lawns may only be watered without causing pooling or runoff.
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Lawns and plants at parks, sports amenities, golf courses and public gardens |
The target of a 25% reduction in water use should be met. At all times lawns and plants may only be watered without causing pooling or runoff.
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Paved areas |
Water must not be used to clean paved areas unless necessary as a result of accident, fire, health hazard or other emergency.
More information
Examples of situations where cleaning of paved areas may be necessary as a result of accident, fire, health hazard or other emergency include (but are not limited to):
- spillage of harmful chemicals;
- spillage of substances that present a possible slip or other health or safety concern; and
- overflow of sewerage or excrement on paved areas.
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Private ponds and
fountains |
Fountains must be switched off.
Ponds may only be topped up using a hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, a bucket or a watering can. |
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Public ponds and
fountains |
Existing ponds must not be filled or topped up other than with non-potable water.
Only existing fountains that recirculate water may be operated and they may be topped up only with non-potable water.
New ponds and fountains may not be filled or operated.
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Private swimming pools |
Pools must not be filled, emptied or refilled without written exemption.
Previously filled pools must not be topped up without a written exemption unless:
- the pool is covered when not in use; and
- topping up is undertaken with a hand-held hose only between 7 am to 10 am or 7 pm to 10 pm on alternate days as per the "odds and evens" system.
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Public swimming pools |
Existing pools must not be either emptied or refilled without written exemption but may be topped up.
Any pool not previously filled must not be filled without written exemption. |
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Water storage tanks,
dams and lakes |
Water storage tanks, dams and lakes must not be filled or topped up other than with non-potable water. |
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Vehicles |
If not washed at a commercial car wash, any vehicle should be washed on a lawn or other porous surface wherever practicable and then may only be washed, not more than once per month, by using:
- a bucket or watering can;
- a high-pressure low-volume cleaner; or
- a hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle.
Any vehicle may be washed at a commercial car wash which recycles water and holds an exemption allowing use of potable water.
Boat motors may be flushed or rinsed after use.
A general exemption* exists for using water to wash a vehicle’s windows, mirrors or lights, and for spot removal of corrosive substances, and then only with a bucket or watering can filled directly from a tap (not by means of a hose).
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Windows and
buildings |
No washing unless necessary as a result of accident, fire, health hazard or other emergency. Building gutters may be cleaned at any time.
More information
Examples of situations where cleaning of buildings or windows may be necessary as a result of accident, fire, health hazard or other emergency include (but are not limited to):
- spillage of harmful chemicals;
- spillage of substances that present a possible slip or other health or safety concern; and
- overflow of sewerage or excrement on buildings or windows.
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Construction and
related activities |
Unless impractical, water may only be used by means of a hose fitted with a flow cut-off device. Wherever practicable non-potable water should be used.
ACTEW is making recycled water available to assist with reducing potable water use in construction related activities. Details here.
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In general, no variations to the exemptions set out above will be permitted unless customers can demonstrate serious detriment from the application of the Water Restrictions Scheme or a particular stage of restrictions.
Apply for an exemption here.
ACTEW reserves the right to vary or revoke exemptions at any time.
For more ways to save water, click here.
Download the full scheme of Temporary Water Restrictions.
ACTEW's Declaration of Stage 2 Water Restrictions.
To find out more, or to book a briefing for your community group, call the Water Conservation Office during business hours on 6248 3131.
To speak to someone in a language other than English please telephone the Telephone Interpreter Service (TIS) 13 14 50.