Five billion reasons to turn your sprinklers off for winter

• The Winter Sprinkler Switch-off is in place from June 1 to August 31 each year
• The switch-off saved about five billion litres of scheme water in winter 2017
• Every drop of water you save reduces the cost of your water bill 

Water Minister Dave Kelly today reminded households, businesses and councils in Perth, Mandurah, and parts of the South-West and Great Southern regions that with winter officially starting tomorrow (June 1) they needed to switch off garden sprinklers.

Last year, the Winter Sprinkler Switch-off saved nearly five billion litres of precious water - enough water to fill up Optus Stadium five times.

All scheme and domestic bore water users need to switch off sprinklers from June 1, 2018 to August 31, 2018. Hand watering is still permitted.

The Winter Sprinkler Switch-off also applies to many licensed groundwater users that irrigate areas of non-commercial turf, lawn and gardens.

Groundwater licence conditions may allow for the watering of active sporting areas to maintain safe use, for bore maintenance and to establish new lawns and gardens for a limited period.

For more information, visit the Winter Sprinkler Switch-off page and to find out more about licensed bore water, visit water.wa.gov.au

Comments attributed to Water Minister Dave Kelly:

"With winter starting tomorrow we have five billion reasons to turn our sprinklers off, as that's how many litres of precious water we can save in three months.

"Climate change continues to impact our water supplies in the south-west of Western Australia, and we all have a responsibility to do our bit to save water.

"From as far south as Albany, throughout the South-West and across Perth, it simply doesn't rain as much as it used to.

"Since 1996, rainfall between May and July has declined by 25 per cent from the long-term average.

"Now it's raining, turning sprinklers off for winter is one of the simplest ways to save water when the garden doesn't need it, and will also help to save money on water bills."

Minister's office - 6552 6100

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