THE beginning of June welcomes the start of Water Corporation’s winter sprinkler switch-off which aims to save billions of litres of water.

The program which started in 2010 saved about five billion litres of water annually and helped support the water security of 2.5 million people, according to Water Corp.

With severe rainfall deficiencies recorded across the southern parts of WA since 2023, Water Corp said it was more important than ever to reduce winter water use.

“This has driven a 12 per cent increase in household water use across Perth, emphasising the need to conserve water during winter when lawns go dormant and gardens require less moisture,” a Water Corp spokesperson said.

Water Corporation demand delivery manager Damien Postma said the winter sprinkler switch-off was integral to preparing for increased water use during summer.

“It’s no secret WA is heavily reliant on desalination to meet our water needs, however, this alone is not a silver bullet,” Mr Postma said.

“It’s important we don’t get complacent when it comes to being waterwise because using water efficiently is a fundamental to collective water security – especially given recent climate trends.

Average rainfall across southern WA had fallen 15 to 20 per cent since 1970, leading to an 80 per cent reduction in streamflow into Perth dams.

According to Water Corp the Mundaring Dam recorded almost 24 gigalitres of stored water
last year.

This year the dam is at about 21 gigalitres.

Last year Victoria Dam recorded 4.23 gigalitre of water and about 5 gigalitres this year, based on Water Corp’s data.

Penalties would apply to those caught breaching the switch-off, although hand watering was permitted and some exemptions applied.

In addition to scheme and bore water users, the switch-off also applied to many licensed groundwater users.

In areas of WA not subject to the ban, normal watering rosters and the daytime sprinkler ban still applied.

Find out which areas are included by visiting
watercorporation.com.au/wintersprinkler
switchoff