Water Wise Rules

Water Wise Rules are simple actions to help save water outdoors.  

They are summarised as:  

• All hand held hoses must have a trigger nozzle attached.   
• Watering with a sprinkler, irrigation system or trigger nozzle hose is only allowed before 10am or after 4pm.   
• No hosing of hard surfaces such as concrete, paths and driveways. 

A trigger nozzle automatically shuts off water flow from a hose unless pressure is maintained by hand on a trigger on the nozzle.  

Water Wise Rules apply to all water users who use water sourced from Central Coast Council’s water supply. This includes residents, business, government and schools.

Water Wise Rules always apply unless water restrictions are in place.

Yes, under Water Wise Rules you may wash and rinse any road vehicle using a hose fitted with a trigger nozzle or a bucket or a high pressure, low volume water cleaner at any time on any day.  

A high pressure, low volume water cleaner is a device (fitted with a trigger nozzle) that forces water bat high pressure through the trigger nozzle at a flow rate of less than nine litres per minute.

Yes, at any time of day.  

Water Wise Rules apply to rainwater used from tanks, if the tank is connected to a home’s internal plumbing or topped up by the Council’s drinking water supply. 

Bore water and water extracted from rivers is excluded. Some government restrictions do apply, so always check with your local council and/or the NSW Office of Water.  

You can wash building structures, windows, walls, gutters and roofing using a hose fitted with a trigger nozzle or with a high pressure, low volume water cleaner any time of day.  

Cleaning your garbage bins is allowed, provided you are using a hose fitted with a trigger nozzle. Do this on the grass whenever possible.  

Driveways, paths and paved areas may be cleaned using a high pressure cleaner in limited circumstances.   

Examples include:  

• Construction  
  • preparing a surface for painting or resealing  
  • cleaning surfaces before the sale or lease of a property  
  • rinsing surfaces after construction provided the area is initially cleaned using a shovel and broom.  
• Health
  • cleaning the BBQ or outdoor food preparation areas  
  •  cleaning spilt food or drink  
  •  cleaning after accidents  
  •  cleaning animal droppings  
  •  cleaning areas affected by sewer overflows  
• Safety
• Removing a build-up of mould or moss
• Surface discoloration
• Removing graffiti
• Removing oil stains  
• Removing a build-up of rust   

Yes. Central Coast Council encourages you to use a water efficient showerhead where possible.  

Yes, under Water Wise Rules you may wash and rinse your pet using a hose fitted with a trigger nozzle or a bucket at any time on any day.  

Yes. You may use sprinklers and watering systems to establish new lawns or gardens as needed for 14 days from the date of installation. After 14 days, sprinklers and watering systems may only be used before 10am and after 4pm.  

Yes, providing it recirculates the water.  

You can use a drip irrigation system before 10am and after 4pm.   

A drip irrigation system is a pipe or hose with special drip devices that release water slowly, in drips, at ground level near the plant roots.  

Yes, conserving water through simple actions means more water remains in our storages so we are better placed if we go into a drought. Just because it is raining around you does not necessarily mean it is raining in our catchment areas.

Water Wise Rules have been developed to provide drought security and reliable supply to meet the Central Coast’s longer-term water needs.  

The Rules help to reduce water wastage.

Businesses which use more than 3.5KL per year must prepare and implement a Water Management Plan. Contact Central Coast Council for assistance with this.

All businesses can use hand held hoses fitted with trigger nozzles, sprinklers or other watering systems before 10am and after 4pm. This includes commercial nurseries, market gardeners, commercial growers, landscapers, mobile garden contractors and persons responsible for the maintenance of community gardens, bowling greens, cricket wickets, golf tees and greens, croquet, hockey, tennis and racing surfaces.  

Water used for firefighting or testing fire systems can be used at any time.