Information on stage one (mild) water restrictions
Stage one restrictions do not apply if you are using spring or bore water, recycled water, grey water or rainwater collected in a tank that is not supplemented by North East Water.
Click here to see if your town is on water restrictions.
Hand watering
You can water residential or commercial gardens and lawns at any time, on any day using a hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle.
Watering systems
You can water gardens and lawns using a watering system (manual, automatic, spray or dripper) only on alternate days between 6am - 10am and 6pm - 10pm.
Alternate days mean people may use their watering systems on an odds and evens, date-based approach:
You can water public gardens, lawns and playing surfaces at any time, on any day using a hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle.
Public gardens, lawns and playing surfaces can also use a watering system only on alternate days between 6am - 10am and 6pm - 10pm, or water in accordance with an approved Water Use Plan.
You can fill and operate your fountain or water feature as long as it recirculates the water.
You cannot hose down hard surfaces including driveways, paths, concrete, tiles, timber decking and other paved areas, except where cleaning is required as a result of an accident, fire, health hazard, safety hazard or other emergency.
You can use a high-pressure cleaning unit, or if such a unit is not available, a hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, or a bucket in the course of construction or renovation.
You can wash your car, boat or other vehicle at home using a high-pressure cleaning unit, a hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle or a bucket or watering can, at any time, any day of the week. The vehicle may also be washed at a commercial car wash.
Councils and schools can water sports grounds and gardens in accordance with the times under Stage One restrictions, or submit a Water Use Plan to efficiently water outside of the prescribed hours.
Filling
A new pool or spa of up to 2,000 litres can be filled by means of a hand-held hose, bucket or watering can or an automatic water top up device; however, a new or existing pool or spa of greater than 2,000 litres can only be filled in accordance with a Water Use Plan.
Topping up
An existing pool or spa of any size can be topped up using an automatic top-up device or a hand-held hose, bucket or watering can.
A mobile spa can only be filled or topped up in accordance with a Water Use Plan.
Water toys
A water toy connected to a hose cannot be used at any time.
Stage two restrictions do not apply if you are using spring or bore water, recycled water, grey water or rainwater collected in a tank that is not supplemented by North East Water.
You can water residential or commercial gardens at any time, on any day using a hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle.
Residential or commercial lawns cannot be watered at any time.
You can water gardens using a watering system (manual, automatic, spray or dripper) only on alternate days between 6 am – 8 am and 6 pm – 8 p.m.
You can water public gardens and playing surfaces at any time, on any day using a hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle.
Public lawn areas cannot be watered at any time.
Public gardens and playing surfaces can also use a watering system only on alternate days between 6 am – 8 am. and 6 pm – 8 pm, or water in accordance with an approved Water Use Plan.
Water cannot be used to fill or top up a fountain or water feature at any time.
Councils and schools can water sports grounds and gardens in accordance with the times under Stage Two restrictions, or submit a Water Use Plan to efficiently water outside of the prescribed hours.
A new pool or spa of up to 2,000 litres can be filled by means of a hand-held hose, bucket or watering can or an automatic water top-up device; however, a new or existing pool or spa of greater than 2,000 litres can only be filled in accordance with a Water Use Plan.
A new or existing pool or spa of any size can be topped up only on alternate days between 6 am – 8 am and 6 pm – 8 pm using a hand-held hose, bucket or watering can; or, by using an automatic water top-up device at any time. Pools and spas can also be topped up at any time in accordance with an approved Water Use Plan.
Stage three restrictions do not apply if you are using spring or bore water, recycled water, grey water or rainwater collected in a tank that is not supplemented by North East Water.
You can water residential or commercial gardens on alternate days between 6 am – 8 am using a hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle.
You can only water gardens using a dripper watering system on alternate days between 6 am – 8 am
You can water public gardens and playing surfaces on alternate days between 6 am – 8 am using a hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle.
Public gardens and playing surfaces can also use a dripper watering system only on alternate days between 6 am – 8 am, or water in accordance with an approved Water Use Plan.
You can wash the windows, mirrors, lights, registration plates and for spot removing corrosive substances off your car, boat or other vehicle at home using a bucket or watering can; or, at a commercial car wash, and only where cleaning is required for health and safety reasons, safety hazard or other emergency.
Councils and schools can water sports grounds and gardens in accordance with the times under Stage Three restrictions, or submit a Water Use Plan to efficiently water outside of the prescribed hours.
A new or existing pool or spa of any capacity cannot be filled; however, new or existing public pools or spas of any capacity can be filled in accordance with a Water Use Plan.
Only existing residential or commercial pools or spas of any size can be topped up on alternate days between 6 am – 8 am using a hand-held hose, bucket or watering can; or, by using an automatic water top-up device. Pools and spas can also be topped up at any time in accordance with an approved Water Use Plan.
Stage four restrictions do not apply if you are using spring or bore water, recycled water, grey water or rainwater collected in a tank that is not supplemented by North East Water.
Residential or commercial gardens and lawns cannot be watered at any time.
Public gardens, lawns and playing surfaces cannot be watered at any time.
Councils and schools cannot water sporting grounds and gardens at anytime.
A new or existing pool or spa of any capacity cannot be filled.
New or existing pools or spas can only be topped up using a bucket or watering can.
We are able to grant exemptions to water restrictions in special circumstances including filling new swimming pools and watering new lawns.
Click here for more detail.
Current water restrictions Water restrictions FAQ Water restriction exemptions
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