The winter Sprinkler Switch-off in Perth runs from 1 June to 31 August each year. That means the first day of spring is when many home gardeners turn their reticulation back on. It sounds simple. But a system that has sat idle for three months often has a few surprises waiting.
A little checking now can save water and money over the warmer months. It can also stop a fine. This guide covers the rules, a basic leak check and how long to run each type of sprinkler.
What the winter switch-off covers
The Sprinkler Switch-off rules from Water Corporation apply to households and businesses using scheme water or bores. The area covers Perth, Mandurah and parts of the South West and Great Southern. You can check your postcode on the Water Corporation website to see if you are included. Systems fed only by a rainwater tank are not covered.
The reason for the switch-off is simple. Winter brings cooler days and less evaporation, so gardens need far less water. Most lawns also go dormant over the colder months. The switch-off has been a permanent measure since 2010.
New lawns and gardens planted in winter can be watered, but only with an approved exemption. Owners must apply and meet the conditions. Otherwise the fine can be up to $500. Sprinklers spotted running during the switch-off can attract a $100 fine.
Your watering days still apply in spring
When the switch-off ends on 31 August, the normal roster takes over again. Permanent water efficiency measures have applied across WA since 2007, and they include ongoing sprinkler rosters. You can only water once on your rostered days, before 9am or after 6pm. Your days depend on your street number and postcode.
Garden bore users in Perth and Mandurah follow the same rosters and times as scheme water users. Outside those areas the rules can be different, so check the details for your town. Inspectors work seven days a week and follow up complaints. A roster breach can bring a $100 fine.
One detail catches people out every year. If a controller misbehaves and runs outside your allowed times, you can still be fined. Power blackouts are a common cause. Water Corporation suggests replacing the backup battery regularly so the controller keeps the right days and times.
Check the controller before anything else
Start at the controller, since it decides when water flows. Make sure the date and time are correct and the program matches your rostered days. Replace the backup battery if it is old or the unit has lost its settings. If the controller has a seasonal adjustment setting, use it.
Your garden needs less water in early spring than in the height of summer. A seasonal setting lets you scale run times up as the weather warms. That avoids watering a cool garden as hard as a hot one. Overwatering wastes water, can harm plants and pushes up your bill.
A simple leak check
Water Corporation sets out a three step check for finding leaks. It uses your water meter and the valves on your system. You do not need special tools for the first part. Have access to your controller and isolation valve before you start.
- Turn off all taps and appliances in the house and fully close the irrigation isolation valve. Note the meter reading. If the meter still moves, the leak may be in your household plumbing.
- Fully open the isolation valve. If water flows straight away, the master valve may be faulty.
- Switch the master solenoid on by hand. If water flows, a zone solenoid or zone pipe may be leaking.
While the system runs, walk the garden and look closely. Wet patches, bubbling soil and damaged sprinkler heads all point to a problem. It is a good time to clear soil or mulch that has built up around the heads over winter. If your beds are being topped up this spring, our guide on adding new soil when landscaping explains when fresh soil is worth it.
Testing rules for home gardeners
You can test your own system, but only on your rostered day and before 9am or after 6pm. Each station should run for no more than two minutes. Stay in the garden while the sprinklers run. Keep evidence of any recent repair or installation handy in case an inspector visits.
Testing outside your roster is a different matter. That work must be done by a Waterwise Garden Irrigator, who is exempt from the watering schedules. Call in a professional if you suspect a broken pipe or cannot find a leak. The same goes if the system starts on its own or water keeps flowing after the valves are off.
Bore owners have a few extra points to note. They get no exemption for testing their own systems. Flushing is allowed once a week on a rostered day, with the same time window and two minute limit per station. Flushing clears sand, air pockets and debris that can affect pressure.
How long to run each type of sprinkler
Water Corporation says 10mm per watering day is all most WA gardens need. How long that takes depends on the sprinkler. Spray sprinklers and micro sprays deliver about 35 to 45mm an hour, so they need around 13 to 16 minutes per station. Rotary sprinklers are much slower and need 40 to 60 minutes.
Gear drive rotary sprinklers sit in between at about 30 to 40 minutes. Dripline also needs roughly 30 to 40 minutes. The full table sits on the sprinkler run times guide. Turn the system off when it rains, as there is no point watering a wet garden.
If your lawn came out of winter thin or patchy, watering is only part of the answer. Our article on common lawn issues looks at the usual causes. Checking each station for even coverage can also show whether a dry patch is a sprinkler problem.
Planning the garden for the warmer months
Spring is a good time to match your watering to what is actually growing. Grouping plants with similar water needs on the same station makes the roster easier to manage. New plantings may need closer attention as the days warm. Our year round guide to planting in Perth can help you choose what to put in this season.
While you are walking the garden to check sprinklers, look at other fittings too. Cables and fittings can be damaged by digging or by water from a broken head. If you have outdoor lights, our piece on garden lighting ideas has ideas for an upgrade. A quick look now saves a fix later in summer.
Frequently asked questions
When does the Perth sprinkler switch-off end?
It runs from 1 June to 31 August every year. After that your normal rostered watering days apply again. You can only water once on those days, before 9am or after 6pm.
Does the switch-off apply to rainwater tanks?
No. Irrigation systems fed by rainwater tanks are not covered by the switch-off. It applies to scheme water and bore users in the included areas.
Can I test my sprinklers during winter?
Not on your own. Testing during the switch-off or outside your roster must be done by a Waterwise Garden Irrigator. Home gardeners can test on rostered days with a two minute limit per station.
How much water does my garden need?
Water Corporation says 10mm per watering day is enough for most WA gardens. Run times vary by sprinkler type. Use the seasonal setting on your controller as the weather changes.