Information for businesses

Smart Water Choices were introduced on 1 October 2020.

In 2014 the Metropolitan Water Directorate developed a Lower Hunter Water Plan (LHWP) in consultation with Hunter Water, NSW Government agencies and the community. The Plan included a set of permanent water conservation measures known as Water Wise Rules. The 2014 LHWP found that these measures had strong community support. Smart Water Choices are the same type of permanent water conservation measures as Water Wise Rules.

No.

Learn more about our Lower Hunter Water Security Plan.

You will receive a response from us within 10-15 working days.

Outdoor water use that is essential for business operations may be exempt for some businesses. These exemptions will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

A trigger nozzle is preferred. You must apply for an exemption to use a twist nozzle and is acceptable only in cases where evidence of a physical limitation can be provided.

Water allocations for these sources are managed separately by the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment - Water. While you don't need a licence to extract groundwater if you are using it for stock or domestic purposes, you do need approval from WaterNSW.

You can report suspicious activity at the Natural Resources Access Regulator.

Smart Water Choices primarily apply to outdoor water usage. However, we encourage businesses to continue their water saving, whether it’s by fixing leaks or waiting for a full load before using the dishwasher. We can all continue to play our part and conserve our most precious resource.

You can use a sprinkler before 10am or after 4pm or at anytime if it's connected to:

• bore water or water extracted from rivers - subject to water sharing plan requirements. Learn more by visiting the Department of Planning Industry and Investment - Water.
• a watering system that uses grey-water (the rinse water from your washing machine/shower/bath)
• recycled water from a designated recycled water system
• a rainwater tank which is not topped up from the drinking water supply
  
  Commercial nurseries, market gardeners, commercial growers, landscapers, mobile garden contractors and persons responsible for the maintenance of community gardens, bowling greens, cricket wickets, golf tees and greens, croquet, hockey, tennis and racing surfaces are also provided with an automatic exemption for watering at any time with a sprinkler, irrigation system or a hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle.
  
  Sprinklers can be used at any time for firefighting and/or related activities (professional firefighting, defending your home during a bush fire, back burning or fire prevention, etc).

A sprinkler is a device used to spray water. It includes micro-spray and misting systems.

Weeper hoses can be used before 10am or after 4pm.

An automatic exemption is provided for the establishment of a new lawn - in this case, you can water the new turf at any time for a period of up to two weeks. Please keep a copy of your delivery docket to prove the date of installation. Commercial nurseries, market gardeners, commercial growers, landscapers, mobile garden contractors and persons responsible for the maintenance of community gardens, bowling greens, cricket wickets, golf tees and greens, croquet, hockey, tennis and racing surfaces are also provided with an automatic exemption for watering at any time with a sprinkler, irrigation system or a hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle.

We may grant other exemptions for sprinkler usage between 10 am and 4 pm if you can demonstrate it is for business-critical or health/safety reasons.

Unless it is for health and safety reasons, paths, driveways, outdoor decks, concrete or pavement cannot be cleaned with high-pressure cleaning equipment.

Spot cleaning of external hard surfaces (paths, driveways, concrete, outdoor decks and balconies) is allowed for safety, health or emergency reasons with a hose fitted with a trigger nozzle or high-pressure cleaning equipment. For example:

Only rainwater tanks that are not connected to the drinking water supply are exempt from Smart Water Choices.

You can water your garden before 10 am or after 4 pm using a handheld hose fitted with a trigger nozzle.

You can use a soaker hose before 10 am or after 4 pm.

You can use drip irrigation before 10 am or after 4 pm.

You can water your garden with a bucket or watering can at any time.

Cleaning your garbage bins is allowed, provided you are using a hose fitted with a trigger nozzle. Do this on the grass whenever possible.

Yes.

Yes, however, they may be eligible for an exemption for some critical business activities.

An automatic watering exemption is provided for the establishment of a new lawn or new garden. You can water the new turf or plants at any time for a period of up to two weeks using a sprinkler, irrigation system or a hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle. Please keep a copy of your delivery or purchase docket to prove the date of installation.

No. Under Smart Water Choices, you can only water before 10 am and after 4 pm.

Drinking water can be used for dust suppression but only where there is no alternative water source reasonably available in the situation.

You can wash building structures, windows, walls, gutters and roofing using a hose fitted using a trigger nozzle or with high-pressure water cleaning equipment.

You can top up an existing pool if using a trigger nozzle or device that can be turned off instantly. You can't leave an unattended hose running in a pool unless you have applied for an exemption.

Under Smart Water Choices leaving a hose running unattended is not permitted however we understand that this may be necessary when filling or refilling a large swimming pool or spa. As the property owner, you can apply for an exemption from ‘leaving a hose unattended’ by registering the address of the property and the date the pool/spa will be filled. This exemption applies whether the pool is being filled by a pool or spa company, or by the property owner. Once you have applied for an exemption a tap timer can be used to prevent overfilling.

Reduce evaporation from your pool by installing an appropriate pool or spa cover.

If you're concerned about the potential misuse of water and would like to make a report about what you've seen.

We will respond to reports of alleged breaches of Smart Water Choices and will follow up with customers when repeated reports have been received.

Yes, fines may apply after breaches of Smart Water Choices have been confirmed. $220 for individuals and $550 for corporations.

Our Water Conservation Compliance Officers will respond to reports of alleged breaches.

Our Water Conservation Compliance Officers can enter customers' properties to investigate whether Smart Water Choices are being breached. An infringement notice can be issued to the occupier of the property when breaches have been confirmed.

The intention is to provide notices to the occupier of the property. If you receive a notice as a landlord and do not reside at the property where the offence took place, you simply complete a Statutory Declaration and send it to the State Debt Recovery Office providing details of the agreement including the name of the person who leases the property.