Exemptions

If you are establishing a lawn or garden you may apply for an exemption in order for it to become fully established.

The exemptions for scheme water customers are listed below.  Exemptions for non-scheme water such as garden bores can be found at the Department of Water's website or call the Department of Water hotline on 1800 508 885. 

From 1 June 2008, new criteria applies for a scheme water exemption.

Exemptions for New Lawns and New Gardens are issued only when the customer confirms that the lawn or garden has been planted. New Lawn can refer to roll on lawn, runners, shredded lawn and/or seed.

We need you to tell us

• The date the landscaping was carried out (lawn laid or plants planted)
• The name of the supplier/landscaper company
• Their contractor number if available
• The person responsible for watering

While the reticulation may be installed by a landscape contractor, builder or developer, the owner is held responsible for any breach of the exemption conditions.

Reticulation controllers must have an adequate battery back-up in case of interruption to the main power source. A loss of power is not a valid reason for any breach of exemption conditions.

What qualifies for an exemption

• Lawns - Must be for the whole of the garden, ie. lawn laid as part of a new garden design for the whole of the front or back yard, or side on a corner block. New garden design includes garden beds and lawn area. Garden beds planted at the same time as laying the lawn are included in the lawn exemption.
• Verges - An exemption will be considered if the verge is greater than 50 square metres.
• Gardens - The gardens planted must be for the whole of the area and not just part of it. If you have existing lawn and have only put in garden beds, an exemption cannot be considered.

1. The irrigation controller must be able to be programmed to accommodate the state-wide watering day rosters.
2. The irrigation system must include a rain sensor or soil moisture sensor.
3. All emitters (sprinklers) on the same station must be the same type.
4. If the system has been installed and a rebate granted for a Waterwise Garden Irrigation System, the exemption is automatic. BUT the householder must call 13 10 39 and request the exemption be issued.

• Audit - All exemptions will be audited. If the householder is granted an exemption and upon audit the irrigation system is found not to comply with any of the above, the exemption will be withdrawn. If the householder is found to be watering outside the times prescribed in the exemption certificate they will be issued with an infringement notice.
• Application - The householder must call the Water Corporation on 13 10 39 and request an exemption, the customer service representative will ask the householder if their irrigation system complies to the above conditions. If it does, an exemption will be issued.

The Do's and Don'ts of the Water Efficiency Measures

Other Exemptions

We appreciate that there are sometimes special circumstances for watering.

Exemptions for households and businesses can be considered in special circumstances. For example, developments where reticulation is controlled across an estate by a central weather station (e.g. Brighton in Perth 's far northern suburbs). For more information on exemptions, please call the Waterwise Infoline on 13 10 39.

The new measures regarding garden watering do not apply to systems where recycled or grey water is used.

Exemptions may be granted on application for the following:

• Customers with special needs can be allowed an exemption to water between 9am and 6pm on their watering days subject to their application being endorsed by a medical practitioner.
• No exemption is available for pensioners and/or seniors solely on the basis of them being concession card holders.

Commercial

• All commercial and industrial properties are exempt if the water is required for operational purposes.
• The exemption does NOT cover watering of lawns at these properties.

Installation, repair or testing of reticulation systems - Contractors or Irrigation Australia (IA) Members

• Contractors/IA Members can apply for an exemption certificate to test reticulation and may operate each station for a maximum period of two minutes.
• An appropriate sign must be displayed at the site stating that sprinklers are operating in accordance with this exemption.

Installation, repair or testing of reticulation systems - General Customers

• You may apply for an exemption to test reticulation outside your allowed watering days and times if repairs have been made to the pipe work. Testing is limited to a maximum of two minutes per station; you must be in attendance in the garden area where the sprinklers are operating; and inspectors will ask to view the repairs.
• You can't run your reticulation outside your allocated watering days or times to see if the system is operating or adjust sprays or sprinklers.
• The exemption can be obtained by calling the Waterwise Helpline on 13 10 39.

Maintenance of bowling greens

• In the 2 day per week Watering Regime Zones, bowling clubs can apply for an exemption to water as follows;
• For existing greens, a standard drink (10mm) may be applied on Mondays up until 12 noon. Additionally, a standard drink may be applied, as required, on one other nominated day.
• For greens under renovation, a standard drink may be applied, as required, on a 3rd nominated day.

Maintenance of caravan parks

• Caravan Parks can apply for an exemption to water vacated sites. A standard drink (10mm) may be applied to the specific area.

Maintenance of hobby greenhouses with exotic plants

• Greenhouse owners with exotic plants may apply for an exemption to mist spray for up to one minute four times a day.

Maintenance of lawn tennis courts

• Customers with lawn tennis courts within the 2 day per week Watering Regime Zone can apply for an exemption to water on two alternative days, as nominated.

Aviaries

• People with aviaries can apply for an exemption to put their sprinklers on to cool down birds in their cages.

Maintenance of synthetic sporting surfaces

• Sporting clubs may apply for exemptions to water the synthetic surface for 10 minutes prior to games being played

Maintenance of turf wickets

• Sporting clubs may apply for an exemption to water using a standard drink (10mm) when required.

Propagation of seedlings

• An exemption to apply half a standard drink (5mm) may be requested.
• The standard drink may be applied at 11am and 3pm daily, until the seedlings are established.

Applying wetting agents and fertilisers (includes vertimowing) Contractors Only

• Contractors may request exemptions to apply a standard drink (10mm) once only after the initial application. The property is to then revert to the designated watering days.
• This exemption is not available to General Customers who are expected to carry out these activities and water on their allocated day and within the allowed times.

Variation to designated watering days (public institutions)

• To be eligible, the institution must demonstrate the need to change their watering days and have considered all other watering options.
• The exemption allows watering to occur on nominated alternative days, between the hours of 6pm and 9am, on a total number of days in the week equal to that allowed in their watering regime zone.

Variation to designated watering days (sporting bodies)

• To be eligible, the sporting body must demonstrate the need to change their watering days and have considered all other watering options.
• The exemption allows watering to occur on nominated alternative days, between the hours of 6pm and 9am, on a total number of days in the week equal to that allowed in their watering regime zone.
• The Exemptions are not open-ended and have a specified finish date