Business water restrictions
Search business type Fines for not complying Water restrictions for everyone
Level 1 - When dam falls below 85% capacity
Level 2 - When dam falls below 75% capacity
Level 3 - When dam falls below 65% capacity
Level 4 - When dam falls below 55% capacity
There are currently no water restrictions. But please be mindful of your water use and follow our water saving for business advice.
When restrictions are in force, Tweed businesses must comply with:
Rules also apply to large water users.
There are fines for not complying.
In limited circumstances, Council may grant exemptions from water restrictions, usually for a specific action at a specific time. Apply online.
During water restrictions, washing down hard surfaces such as windows, walls, pathways, paved areas and driveways with a hose is banned and requesting a permit for hosing down hard surfaces purely for appearance will be declined.
Search for your business type
If you have questions, please contact Council.
Download the water restrictions table(PDF, 283KB) for a print-ready version of all water restrictions across each level.
Including hotels, motels, guesthouses, hostels, caravan parks, B&Bs
Save water now – we must all stop wasting water
Save money too by following our water saving for business advice.
Specific restrictions for your business type are detailed below. Also follow:
Level 1 restrictions - Accommodation providers
Comply with all level 1 water restrictions for everyone with the exception of the below.
Take action
- At reception and every bathroom, ablution block, urinal, laundry, kitchen, BBQ, pool/spa area and outdoor tap
Display Council-supplied water conservation messages
- Showerheads, tapware, urinals and toilets
You must try to install at least 3-star WELS-rated devices
Level 2 restrictions - Accommodation providers
Comply with all level 2 water restrictions for everyone with the exception of the below.
Take action
- Reception and every bathroom, ablution block, urinal, laundry, kitchen, BBQ, pool/spa area and outdoor tap
Display Council-supplied water conservation messages
- Showerheads, tapware, urinals and toilets
You must try to install at least 3-star WELS-rated devices
Level 3 restrictions - Accommodation providers
Comply with all level 3 water restrictions for everyone with the exception of the below.
Take action
- Reception and every bathroom, ablution block, urinal, laundry, kitchen, BBQ, pool/spa area and outdoor tap
Display Council-supplied water conservation messages
- Showerheads, tapware, urinals and toilets
You must try to install at least 3-star WELS-rated devices
Level 4 restrictions - Accommodation providers
Comply with all level 4 water restrictions for everyone with the exception of the below.
Take action
- Reception and every bathroom, ablution block, urinal, laundry, kitchen, BBQ, pool/spa area and outdoor tap
Display Council-supplied water conservation messages
- Showerheads, tapware, urinals and toilets
You must try to install at least 3-star WELS-rated devices
Including watering stock/other commercial animals, and irrigation.
Save water now – we must all stop wasting water
Save money too by following our water saving for business advice.
Specific restrictions for your business type are detailed below. Also follow:
Save water now – we must all stop wasting water
Save money too by following our water saving for business advice.
Specific restrictions for your business type are detailed below. Also follow:
Level 1 restrictions - Building and construction
Comply with all level 1 water restrictions for everyone with the exception of the below.
You can
- Use water to mix concrete/plaster/other building products
- Cure freshly laid concrete
Consider using curing compounds, or cover with wet hessian and plastic
- Do general on-site cleaning
With high-pressure low-flow-rate cleaner with trigger control
Level 2 restrictions - Building and construction
Comply with all level 2 water restrictions for everyone with the exception of the below.
You can
- Use water to mix concrete/plaster/other building products
- Cure freshly laid concrete
Consider using curing compounds, or cover with wet hessian and plastic
- Do general on-site cleaning
With high-pressure low-flow-rate cleaner with trigger control
Level 3 restrictions - Building and construction
Comply with all level 3 water restrictions for everyone with the exception of the below.
You can
- Use water to mix concrete/plaster/other building products
- Cure freshly laid concrete
Consider using curing compounds, or cover with wet hessian and plastic
- Do general on-site cleaning
With high-pressure low-flow-rate cleaner with trigger control
Level 4 restrictions - Building and construction
Comply with all level 4 water restrictions for everyone with the exception of the below.
You can
- Use curing compounds for curing concrete
And/or cover freshly laid concrete with wet hessian and plastic
You cannot
- Use water to mix concrete/plaster/other building products
- Use water to do general on-site cleaning
Save water now – we must all stop wasting water
Save money too by following our water saving for business advice.
Specific restrictions for your business type are detailed below. Also follow:
Including car washing/detailing, dog washing/grooming, water playgrounds/parks.
Save water now – we must all stop wasting water
Save money too by following our water saving for business advice.
Specific restrictions for your business type are detailed below. Also follow:
Level 1 restrictions - Fixed premises high water-use businesses
Comply with all level 1 water restrictions for everyone with the exception of the below.
You can
With current Council permit:
- Wash/detail cars
With high-pressure low-flow rate cleaner with trigger control, must log water use
- Wash/groom dogs
Must use water efficiently, must log water use
- Top-up water playgrounds/parks
Must recirculate water, must log water use
Level 2 restrictions - Fixed premises high water-use businesses
Comply with all level 2 water restrictions for everyone with the exception of the below.
You can
With current Council permit:
- Wash/detail cars
With high-pressure low-flow rate cleaner with trigger control, must log water use
- Wash/groom dogs
Must use water efficiently, must log water use
- Top-up water playgrounds/parks
Must recirculate water, must log water use
Level 3 restrictions - Fixed premises high water-use businesses
Comply with all level 3 water restrictions for everyone with the exception of the below.
You can
With current Council permit:
- Wash/detail cars
With high-pressure low-flow rate cleaner with trigger control, must log water use, must recirculate water
- Wash/groom dogs
Must use water efficiently, must log water use
You cannot
- Operate water playgrounds/parks
Level 4 restrictions - Fixed premises high water-use businesses
Comply with all level 4 water restrictions for everyone with the exception of the below.
You can
With current Council permit:
- Wash/detail cars
With high-pressure low-flow rate cleaner with trigger control, must log water use, must recirculate water
You cannot
- Operate water playgrounds/parks
- Operate dog washing/grooming businesses
Includes flower farms, market gardens, nurseries, orchards, turf farms.
Save water now – we must all stop wasting water
Save money too by following our water saving for business advice.
Specific restrictions for your business type are detailed below. Also follow:
Level 1 restrictions - Horticulture
Comply with all level 1 water restrictions for everyone with the exception of the below.
You can
- Water crops
With sprinkler or spray, 1 hour only per watering zone, every day between 5 and 7 am or 5 and 7 pm.
Level 2 restrictions - Horticulture
Comply with all level 2 water restrictions for everyone with the exception of the below.
You can
- Water crops
With sprinkler or spray, 30 minutes only per watering zone, every day between 5 and 7 am or 5 and 7 pm.
Level 3 restrictions - Horticulture
Comply with all level 3 water restrictions for everyone with the exception of the below.
You can
- Water crops
With sprinkler or spray, 15 minutes only per watering zone, every day between 5 and 7 am or 5 and 7 pm.
Level 4 restrictions - Horticulture
Comply with all level 4 water restrictions for everyone with the exception of the below.
You can
- Water crops
With sprinkler or spray, 15 minutes only per watering zone, every day between 5 and 7 am or 5 and 7 pm.
Large water users
If you use more than 50,000 litres a day, you must have a Council-approved water efficiency management plan to operate. Contact Council to find out more.
If you use less than 25,000 litres a day, Council may audit your water use.
You may need to install sub-meters on equipment that uses significant water.
Fines for not complying
Failing to comply with water restrictions may result in a $2,200 fine. Repeated misuse of water may result in the water service being restricted and in extreme cases, disconnected.
Report a breach
