Switch off and help save up to five billion litres of water this winter

• Perth and Peel households can save up to five billion litres of water by switching off their irrigation in winter
• 55 billion litres of water saved since 2010 thanks to Winter Sprinkler Switch-off
• Winter sprinkler ban in place from June 1 to August 31

Water Minister Dave Kelly has reminded households and businesses to switch off garden irrigation by June 1 to help save around five billion litres of precious water - enough water to fill Optus Stadium five times.

Each year, residents in Perth, Peel and parts of the South-West and Great Southern must turn off garden irrigation from June 1 to August 31, as part of the annual Winter Sprinkler Switch-off.

Introduced as a permanent water efficiency measure in 2010, the switch-off saves around five billion litres of precious drinking water annually and has saved close to 55 billion litres of water to date.

Adopting water-saving practices inside and outside the home is vital, as the State continues to adapt to the impacts of climate change on rainfall. While Perth received a drenching last winter, long-term average rainfall has declined by around 20 per cent since the 1970s, leading to an 80 per cent reduction in streamflow to metropolitan dams.

Using sprinklers during the switch-off can result in a $100 fine if witnessed by a Water Corporation inspector, or a written warning if reported by a member of the public.

The switch-off applies to scheme and bore water users, in addition to many licensed groundwater users. Hand watering and some exemptions apply. In areas of the State not subject to the ban, normal watering rosters and the daytime sprinkler ban still apply.

To find out if you are included in the switch-off, visit: https://www.watercorporation.com.au/wintersprinklerswitchoff

For details on how the switch-off applies to bore and licensed water users, visit: https://www.dwer.wa.gov.au/water

Comments attributed to Water Minister Dave Kelly:

"We've had some extremely wet weather over the past couple of weeks, so I would hope people have done the right thing and switched off early ahead of the Winter Sprinkler Switch-off to help save as much water as possible. If they haven't, they have until June 1 to do so.

"The Winter Sprinkler Switch-off is an incredibly effective water efficiency measure and part of a wide range of initiatives to ensure we continue to enjoy a secure, sustainable future water supply.

"I encourage all households to switch off now and help us save up to five Optus Stadium's worth of water by August 31."

Minister's office - 6552 6100

List of local government areas where the Winter Sprinkler Switch-off applies: