Stage 3 now in place

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The following exemption is intended for residents who will be away during the Christmas holiday period to maintain their gardens. Whilst it is understood that some automatic sprinkler systems are connected to both lawns and gardens, ACTEW strongly encourage the public to only utilise this exemption for their plants

A general exemption exists during the period 13 December 2008 to 1 February 2009 to allow sprinklers and other irrigation systems to be used to water lawns and plants between 7pm and 10pm only, on:

1. SATURDAYS for premises with an EVEN street number; and
2. SUNDAYS for premises with an ODD street number.

At all times lawns and gardens may only be watered without causing pooling or runoff.

At all other times, normal Stage 3 water restrictions apply in relation to watering private lawns and plants.

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Businesses contracted to install new plants (not new lawns) may water outside allowed watering hours provided that:

• Watering occurs within ONE hour after planting each plant;
• Watering is done by hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, a bucket or watering-can; and
• No more water is used than is reasonably required for initial establishment of the plant.

At all times gardens may only be watered without causing pooling or runoff.

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):

1. spillage of harmful chemicals;
2. spillage of substances that present a possible slip or other health or safety concern; and
3. overflow of sewerage or excrement on paved areas.

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Exemptions may be granted to fill new and existing private swimming pools during Stage 3 Temporary Water Restrictions, provided that the exemption application includes:

• an undertaking that the swimming pool is covered when not in use; and
• evidence that demonstrates to ACTEW’s satisfaction that at least three of the following criteria have been met at the premises where the swimming pool is located:
  1. the swimming pool uses a cartridge filtration system instead of a sand filter; and/or
  2. the swimming pool filter uses a water efficient medium instead of sand for filtration. A “water efficient medium” includes any filtration device (such as recycled glass) able to demonstrate a 20% or greater reduction in water use; and/or
  3. has at least one rainwater tank with a capacity of 1000 litres or greater has been installed, the water from which is available for use inside and/or outside at the premises; and/or
  4. drip irrigation systems are installed on most (that is, more than 50 percent) of the garden beds at the premises; and/or
  5. mulch has been laid on all garden beds; and/or
  6. rain/soil moisture sensors are installed on, and are used in conjunction with, a garden irrigation system; and/or
  7. at least one of the occupiers has had a GardenSmart* service carried out by the ACT Government*; and/or
  8. at least one of the occupiers has
     1. attended an ACTEW Waterwise Gardening Workshop**; or
     2. completed an ACTEW Waterwise Gardening Quiz online; and/or
  9. has two or more of the following devices installed:^†
     1. dual-flush toilets in each water closet;
     2. three-star or better water efficient showerheads in each shower cubicle;
     3. four-star or better water efficient washing machine;
     4. tap aerators on each indoor tap
  10. the swimming pool replaces an irrigated lawn area that covered at least the area of the pool

ACTEW may vary the above criteria from time to time and, if it does so, will publish the revised criteria on its website at http://www.actew.com.au.

* Requires appearance on ACT Government’s attendance list
**requires appearance on ACTEW’s attendance list OR a receipt number issued after completing the online quiz
† Requires confirmation from a licensed plumber by completing this form or by contacting ACTEW on 6248 3131 to arrange a form to be sent to you.

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An ongoing general exemption is in place that allows private swimming pools to be topped up, provided that:

1. the pool is registered with ACTEW; and
2. the topping up is conducted in accordance with the following conditions.

Exemption conditions applicable to topping up existing swimming pools

Where a pool cover is used when the pool is not in use

Existing pools that are covered when not in use by a pool blanket or similar that covers at least 80% of the water surface area may be topped up by a hand-held attended hose between 7-10am or between 7-10pm on alternate days as per the ‘odds and evens’ system.

Where a pool cover is not used

Existing pools that are not covered when not in use by a pool blanket or similar that covers at least 80% of the water surface area may be topped up between 7-10am or between 7-10pm on alternate days as per the ‘odds and evens’ system but only by use of a bucket or watering can filled directly from a tap and not a hose.

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As a condition of the general exemption allowing pools to be topped up, private pool owners must have registered their pool with ACTEW by completing and lodging the pool registration form prior to topping up their pool.

Once the pool registration form has been fully completed and lodged, pools may be topped up in accordance with the applicable exemption conditions below.

Registration of pool ownership form

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):

1. spillage of harmful chemicals;
2. spillage of substances that present a possible slip or other health or safety concern; and
3. overflow of sewerage or excrement on buildings or windows.