Winter rainfall signals now is the time to save precious water

It's time to switch off your sprinklers

• Residents urged to help prepare for summer and switch off reticulation by 1 June
• Winter Sprinkler Switch-off saves around 5 billion litres of precious water annually
• Switch-off is fundamental to long-term water security in southern WA
• Impact of climate change on rainfall means water efficiency more important than ever
• Hand watering is permitted during the Winter Sprinkler Switch-off

With the annual Winter Sprinkler Switch-off beginning this weekend, residents across Perth and parts of southern Western Australia are being reminded to turn off garden irrigation to conserve precious water supplies for when they are needed most.

Since 2010, the Winter Sprinkler Switch-off has been an essential water efficiency measure, responsible for saving close to 5 billion litres of water each year.

This supports the sustainability of vital groundwater resources and helps ensure long-term water supply security for communities across southern WA.

In southern WA, where climate change has reduced dam streamflow by around 80 per cent since the 1970s, the annual switch-off is fundamental to water supply planning.

From Saturday 1 June, all scheme and bore users across Perth, Mandurah and parts of the South West and Great Southern are required to switch off garden irrigation during winter when lawns and gardens require less water. Hand watering is permitted and some exemptions apply.

Despite a dry lead-in to winter, the Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting average winter rainfall across southern WA.(link is external)

With long-term predictions of hotter, dryer weather across southern WA, Water Corporation and the State Government are adapting to the challenges posed by reduced rainfall and climate change.

This includes by becoming a global leader in seawater desalination, increasing water recycling, and increasing water efficiency across the community.

To find out if your suburb or community is included in the Winter Sprinkler Switch-off, visit watercorporation.com.au/wintersprinklerswitchoff(link is external)

Comments attributed to Water Minister Simone McGurk:

"The dry, warm run up to winter shows why - now more than ever - we all need to play our part to conserve our precious water resources ahead of summer.

"By turning off garden reticulation in winter residents collectively save around 5 billion litres of precious drinking water each year. This helps ensure water sustainability for all of us - right across the state.

"Water efficiency is just one part of how the Western Australian Government and Water Corporation are adapting to the impact of climate change on rainfall.

"Today, WA is seen as a leader in delivering climate-resilient water sources to meet the challenges posed by climate change, with other states now following our lead.

"WA was the first state in Australia to pursue desalination, and we are currently ramping up work on the state's third large-scale desalination plant at Alkimos.

"While we can be confident that future water supplies are secure, this doesn't mean we can become complacent when it comes to being waterwise or underestimate the challenge posed by climate change."