Testing your irrigation

Everything you need to know before you start

Testing your irrigation yourself is easy, but you must follow the watering rules to avoid wasting bucketloads of water or a breach.

You can only test your irrigation system on your rostered watering days, either before 9am or after 6pm, and for no longer than two minutes per station.

If you need to test outside your watering days, or during the Sprinkler Switch‑off, a Waterwise Garden Irrigator must perform the test for you.

Before you begin

You must:

• Be in the garden while your sprinklers are running
• Keep your test short and supervised
• Only test within approved watering hours

You should also have:

• Evidence that your irrigation has just been installed or repaired
• Tools or materials visible if an inspector visits
• Access to your irrigation controller and isolation valve

Test your irrigation in 3 easy steps

Step 1: Turn everything off and read your water meter

1. Make sure all household taps and appliances are off.
2. Check that your irrigation isolation valve is in the fully closed position.
3. Record the numbers on your water meter.
4. If the meter moves, there may be a leak in your home plumbing.
5. If it stays still, continue to step two.

Step 2: Turn your irrigation isolation valve on

1. Turn the isolation valve to the fully open position.
2. If water starts flowing immediately, the master valve may be faulty.
3. If no water flows, move to step three.

Step 3: Turn the master solenoid on manually

1. Switch the master solenoid on using the manual control.
2. If water starts flowing, a zone solenoid or zone pipe may be leaking.
3. If no water flows, the issue may be further down the line.
4. Look for wet patches, bubbling soil, or damaged sprinklers while the system is running.
5. If you cannot find the fault, contact a waterwise garden irrigator.

 When to call a professional

• You suspect a broken pipe
• You cannot locate the leak
• Your irrigation turns on unexpectedly
• Water continues to flow when valves are switched off

A Waterwise Garden Irrigator can test your system outside watering days and is automatically exempt from restrictions.

Using a professional to test your irrigation

If a waterwise garden irrigator is installing or repairing your irrigation system, they can carry out all testing for you.

Professionals are exempt from watering schedules, including during the Sprinkler Switch-off, which means they can test your system safely at any time.

A Waterwise Garden Irrigator can test your system safely and efficiently, helping you save bucketloads of water without worrying about watering restrictions.

What your Irrigator can do

• Test your system on or outside your rostered watering days
• Complete testing during the Sprinkler Switch‑off
• Diagnose faults, leaks or broken components
• Make repairs immediately if needed
• Provide expert recommendations for water efficiency Professionals do not need to notify Water Corporation before testing. Their exemption covers all testing activities.

What happens during a professional test

Your Waterwise Garden Irrigator will:

• Be on site while the sprinklers are running
• Display signage indicating testing is in progress
• Check each part of your irrigation system
• Confirm repairs have been completed
• Look for any signs of leaks, broken ground or exposed pipes

They may also ask you about past performance issues, watering patterns or visible symptoms like patchy lawn growth.

Testing your irrigation when you have a bore

If your property uses a bore, you must follow specific watering rules for testing and bore maintenance.

Bore users in the metro area follow the same watering days and testing limits as scheme users, including during the Sprinkler Switch‑off. 

Bore water users play a big role in helping WA save bucketloads - however bore users must also follow specific rules for testing and maintenance.

Testing your bore irrigation

You can only test your system on your rostered watering days, either before 9am or after 6pm.Testing must be limited to 2 minutes per station.

This applies to:

• Newly installed bore irrigation
• Repaired bore systems
• Fault finding or leak inspection
• Any weekday or weekend test during the Sprinkler Switch‑off

There are no exemptions for bore owners testing their own systems.

Flushing your bore system

You may flush your bore once a week for maintenance.

Flushing must follow the rules:

• Only on one of your rostered watering days
• Before 9am or after 6pm
• Maximum of 2 minutes per station

Flushing helps keep the system clear of sand, air pockets and debris that can affect pressure and performance.

Regional watering differences

If you live north of (and excluding) Kalbarri and Kalgoorlie, watering rules differ.

Residents in these towns may water:

• Every second day
• Once per day
• Either before 9am or after 6pm
• Based on the last digit of the house number

Please visit The Department of Water and Environment website to find out more about sprinkler rosters for bore users and the restrictions that apply.

More Infos for Residents of the West Pilbara.