The Water Corporation has recently had a number of cases whereby landscaping and irrigation contractors are not applying for watering exemptions when establishing a new lawn or garden for their customers. In the past, the landscaper has planted the new lawn or garden and set the irrigation to operate every day, but has not applied for a watering exemption. The contractor must call the Water Corporation and request the watering exemption on the date the exemption needs to commence. The householder cannot water by sprinklers, outside of their watering roster, until an exemption is put in place. What you will need to tell us when applying:
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The address of the property
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Householder’s name, mobile, home telephone details and email address
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If the property is using a garden bore
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The nature and location of the new planting (ie: front/back, garden/lawn)
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The date from which the exemption is requested to commence
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The name of the person responsible for watering the property
The period of exemption is for 35 days, this period applies across the state. At the end of the 35 day period, the contractor or property owner must amend the settings on the irrigation controller to ensure the system is watering in accordance with the normal watering rosters. If the householder is not granted an exemption or is found not to comply with the exemption conditions, an infringement notice can be issued. The penalty is a $500 fine, which may be modified to a $100 on the spot fine.
All landscaping and irrigation contractors should apply for an exemption following the above activities by calling 13 10 39.
