New rules for bore owners
From 1 September 2022, bore owners can water two days per week in line with the scheme water roster. The change has been made to protect our groundwater. All rules that apply to scheme water users now apply to bore users.
Choose the right day
If you live in the metro area, you can only test your irrigation system on your allocated watering days. If you are doing the test yourself, do it before 9am or after 6pm, and limit it to a maximum of two minutes per station.
If you need to flush your sprinkler system to maintain your bore, you can do this once a week on one of your allocated watering days, either before 9am or after 6pm for a maximum of 2 minutes per station.
Watering or testing outside these times can attract a fine for the householder – unless the testing or repairs are being carried out by a waterwise approved reticulation expert.
Adjusting your irrigation in spring
At the start of spring, the Water Corporation suggests that you run your sprinklers manually on your watering days, only when you need to. This way if we get a rainy day, you won’t be wasting water (and adding to your water bill).
Recommended run times for different sprinkler types
The recommended amount of water a garden with sandy soil needs is 10mm.
These run times are simply suggestions based on how long it generally takes each sprinkler type to distribute a standard 10mm drink of water to your garden.
The Water Corporation recommends the following:
Pop-up or fixed spray sprinklers
Typical watering rate per hour: 35-45mm
Suggested run time for 10mm: 13-16 minutes
Rotary sprinklers
Typical watering rate per hour: 10-15mm
Suggested run time for 10mm: 40-60 minutes
Gear drive rotor sprinklers
Typical watering rate per hour: 10-20mm
Suggested run time for 10mm: 30-40 minutes
Dripline sprinklers
Typical watering rate per hour: 15-20mm
Suggested run time for 10mm: 30-40 minutes
Micro spray sprinkler
Typical watering rate per hour: 35-45mm
Suggested run time for 10mm: 13-16 minutes
Efficient hand watering
You can hand water any day of the week, preferably before 9am. Using a watering can or handheld hose (1 outlet) with a nozzle, is the most efficient way to hit the root zone and target specific plants that need water more than others. It also helps to avoid over watering.
Watering more than this doesn’t provide your plants with any additional benefit. Overwatering can contribute to leaching vital nutrients from the soil.
And if rain is forecast switch back to manual mode.
Source: Water Corporation
How to save water in the garden
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