Residential water restrictions
Restriction levels Rainwater tanks Fines for not complying Water carting Frequently asked questions
Carting water is banned from both the Tyalgum and Uki Water Supplies.
There are currently no water restrictions.
Save water around your home, see save water indoors and save water outdoors. You can also view business water restrictions.
Restriction levels
Level 1 - If the dam reaches around 85% capacity
Reduce use by 40 litres a day to Target 153L per person per day.
Banned
- Watering lawns
- Water play toys
- Sprinklers/soaker hoses
Limited use
- Boats and trailers used in salt water
Hand-held hose with on/off trigger nozzle, 10 minutes only.
- House cleaning
Commercial cleaners only when property is for sale/lease.
- Fishponds/aquariums
Top-up to keep fish alive only.
- Swimming pool top-up
Hand-held hose with on/off trigger nozzle, before 9am or after 4pm only.
- New turf
Hand-held hose with on/off trigger nozzle, before 9am or after 4pm only:
- Up to 1 hour on day of install.
- 60 minutes only for next 14 days.
Allowed – every 2nd day odds/evens* before 9am or after 4pm
- Gardens
Hand-held hose with on/off trigger nozzle 60 minutes only.
- Gardens
Low-flow microspray/drip irrigation 15 minutes only.
- Cars
Hand-held hose with on/off trigger nozzle.
* Odds/evens watering days - Odd/even days correspond to odd/even house numbers, i.e. odd house numbers permitted on each odd date of the month and vice versa. No watering allowed on the 31st of the month.
Buckets or watering cans – allowed anytime
Level 2 - If the dam reaches around 75% capacity
(PDF, 82KB)Reduce use by 50 litres a day to Target 144L per person per day.
Banned
- Watering lawns
- Outdoor showers
Beach showers have been turned off
- Water play toys
- Sprinklers/soaker hoses
Limited use
- Boats and trailers used in salt water
Hand-held hose with on/off trigger nozzle, 10 mins only.
- House cleaning
Commercial cleaners only when property is for sale/lease.
- Fishponds/aquariums
Top-up to keep fish alive only.
- Swimming pool top-up
Hand-held hose with on/off trigger nozzle, before 9am or after 4pm only.
- New turf
Hand-held hose with on/off trigger nozzle, before 9am or after 4pm only:
- Up to 1 hour on day of install.
- 30 minutes only for next 7 days.
Allowed – every 2nd day odds/evens* before 9am or after 4pm
- Gardens
Hand-held hose with on/off trigger nozzle 30 minutes only.
- Gardens
Low-flow microspray/drip irrigation 15 minutes only.
- Cars
Hand-held hose with on/off trigger nozzle 10 minutes only.
* Odds/evens watering days - Odd/even days correspond to odd/even house numbers, i.e. odd house numbers permitted on each odd date of the month and vice versa. No watering allowed on the 31st of the month.
Buckets or watering cans – allowed anytime
Level 3 - If the dam reaches around 65% capacity
Reduce use by about 60 litres a day to Target 135L per person per day
Banned
- Watering lawns
- Swimming pool/spa top-ups
You can maintain a minimum water level to avoid structural damage only
- Fishponds/aquariums
You can maintain a minimum water level to keep fish alive only
- Outdoor showers
Beach showers have been turned off
- Water play toys
- Sprinklers/soaker hoses
- Irrigation and micro-spray systems
Limited use
- Boats and trailers used in salt water
Hand-held hose with on/off trigger nozzle 5 mins only
- House wash
Registered commercial cleaners only for health and safety reasons
- New turf
Hand-held hose with on/off trigger nozzle 30 minutes on day of install then 15 mins only on odds/even system for next 7 days before 9am or after 4pm (that is, water only four times in total)
Allowed – every 2nd day odds/evens* before 9am or after 4pm
- Gardens
Hand-held hose with on/off trigger nozzle 10 mins only
- Cars
Low-flow pressure cleaner 5 minutes only
* Odds/evens watering days - Odd/even days correspond to odd/even house numbers, i.e. odd house numbers permitted on each odd date of the month and vice versa. No watering allowed on the 31st of the month.
Buckets or watering cans – allowed anytime
- Dog / pet washing
- Gardens
Level 4 - If the dam reaches around 55% capacity
Reduce use by about 70 litres a day to Target 126L per person per day
Banned
- Watering lawns
- Swimming pool/spa top-ups
You can maintain a minimum water level to avoid structural damage only
- Fishponds/aquariums
You can maintain a minimum water level to keep fish alive only
- Garden watering
You can use greywater but Health Dept advises not on edible plants
- Outdoor showers
Beach showers have been turned off
- Water play toys
- Sprinklers/soaker hoses
- Irrigation and micro-spray systems
- New turf install
- House wash, and any elements thereof, roof, paths, external walls, driveways
- Washing cars and vehicles
- Washing boats, trailers and other vehicles used in saltwater
Buckets or watering cans – allowed anytime
Fines for not complying with water restrictions
Failing to follow water restrictions may result in a $220 fine. Repeated misuse of water may result in the water service being restricted and in extreme cases, disconnected.
To report any breach of water restrictions contact us.
Rainwater tanks
Having a rainwater tank does not exempt you from water restrictions.
- Water restrictions apply for properties with rainwater tanks connected to town supply (nearly all rainwater tanks in urban areas).
- Water restrictions apply for properties with rainwater tanks topped up by water carters.
Find out more about rainwater tanks
Water carting
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Carting water is banned from Tyalgum and Uki water supplies
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To buy water from Council you need to buy it from one of the drinking water carters(PDF, 48KB) licensed to operate in the Tweed.
Water purchased from Council is subject to the water restriction guidelines and targets.
Carting water from the Tweed water supply at Bray Park is permitted to areas both within and outside the shire.
Frequently asked questions
My neighbour's lawn is very green, what should I do?
Watering lawns is banned under Level 2 water restrictions if you are on a town supply. Your neighbour may be watering their lawn using a spear pump or bore supply, which is allowed.
If you are unsure of whether your neighbour has a spear pump or bore supply, please call Council and an officer will visit your neighbour for a friendly chat as they may not be aware they are doing the wrong thing.
Is there any restriction on the use of bore water?
No. Council's water restrictions apply to the reticulated water supply only. The use of bore water is regulated by the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE). The DPIE has not imposed any restrictions on the use of bore water but may in the future.
Do water restrictions apply to businesses?
Yes.
Businesses that use water as a key input will be affected by water restrictions and must comply with those restrictions.
Any business that feels it is unduly affected can contact Council to discuss their situation. Council may issue a permit to continue operating, with conditions, if warranted.
View business water restrictions
Who can fine people?
Any Council officer can be authorised to issue a fine under the Local Government Act. Council has authorised a number of its Water and Wastewater officers. Council Rangers also can issue fines for non-compliance to water restrictions.
First up, Council will speak to residents who fail to comply with restrictions but if they continue to breach the rules they will be fined.
What will Council do with the revenue raised from enforcing water restrictions?
Any income from water restrictions enforcement will be allocated to general reserve or used to fund vital water security infrastructure.
Is financial assistance available to residents who need to buy water?
Council is not aware of any Government subsidies that specifically relate to the transport of drinking water to rural properties, other than existing assistance to farmers. Council is investigating how it can help residents reliant on tank water who can’t afford to buy water.
The below websites might provide some guidance:
Is Council monitoring fill-up points for water carters wasting water?
Council has authorised water extraction points where water tankers are permitted to fill up. The filling locations minimise the travelling time for the tankers to the rural areas, minimising costs to rural residents needing a water delivery.
Council will contact all water carters to remind them not to waste water and that poor and lazy practices on their part will not be accepted by the Council or the community.
