Mandatory Winter Sprinkler Switch-Off in Perth and WA

The mandatory Winter Sprinkler Switch-Off in Western Australia is now in effect, running until 31 August. This long-standing initiative has been helping West Australians save billions of litres of precious water since 2010. Both households and businesses across Perth and WA are required to comply, giving winter rainfall the chance to naturally sustain gardens and lawns.

Majestic Plumbing proudly supports property owners, facility managers, and households with practical advice and solutions to maintain healthy gardens while complying with the sprinkler switch-off.

Who Must Switch Off Their Sprinklers

The Winter Sprinkler Switch-Off applies to most garden irrigation systems in WA, including:

Household gardens and lawns
Commercial landscapes and non-commercial turf areas
Licensed bore water users, including local governments, schools, TAFE campuses, universities, golf courses, parks, race grounds, and businesses with irrigation systems

Exemptions exist for high-use sporting grounds, such as school ovals and local government sports fields, to ensure safety and maintain amenity planting.

Property managers and businesses can check their local area requirements using Water Corporation’s online tool to confirm if their sprinklers are included in the switch-off.

Why The Winter Switch-Off Matters

Winter in WA brings cooler temperatures and higher rainfall, meaning lawns and gardens require less water. Switching off sprinklers during this period can:

Save up to 5 billion litres of water across WA
Reduce water bills for households and businesses
Prevent overwatering and potential garden damage
Help preserve water for the drier months ahead

For many gardens, manual watering or hand-held sprinklers is sufficient during the cooler months. Modern reticulation controllers also allow you to adjust run times seasonally, optimising water use throughout the year. 

What Happens If Sprinklers Are Not Switched Off

Failure to comply with the mandatory Winter Sprinkler Switch-Off may result in:

$100 fines for using sprinklers in restricted areas
Investigation by inspectors operating across WA seven days a week
Bore water users potentially being referred to the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation for licensing breaches

Even bore water should be treated as a valuable resource, and usage outside exemptions may lead to penalties. Exemptions exist for operational uses or establishing new lawns and gardens, but extra water consumption may incur charges.

Applying For A Watering Exemption

Property owners or managers installing new lawns or gardens, such as roll-on turf, seedlings, runners, or shredded lawn, can apply for an exemption to water outside the mandatory period.

Both manual and automatic irrigation systems are eligible. For bore users, exemptions may also apply, but users are responsible for adhering to conditions to avoid fines.

Tips for Water-Wise Gardens During Winter

Hand water or use manual sprinklers only when necessary
Monitor rainfall and adjust reticulation schedules accordingly
Check reticulation systems for leaks or inefficiencies before the next watering season
Plan for preventative maintenance, especially for commercial properties and large landscapes

Contact Majestic Plumbing Today

We help Perth and WA property owners, managers, and businesses maintain water-wise properties. Our team can:

Inspect for leaks or inefficiencies
Provide maintenance and repair services

Join thousands of West Australians in saving water this winter and let nature do the work.

Contact Majestic Plumbing today to discuss your plumbing maintenance, preventative plumbing solutions, or any emergency plumbing needs across Perth and WA.