Sprinklers are to be turned off during the day. Photo: Tatum Lawn Services.
Wagga Wagga residents are being told to rethink how — and when — they use water, with daytime sprinkler and hose use now restricted.
Riverina Water, the government water utility responsible for supplying water to Wagga and its surrounds, has announced Stage 2 water restrictions are in effect as temperatures top 40 degrees.
Under the restrictions, sprinklers and irrigation systems cannot be used between 7 am and 7 pm — the hottest part of the day — while hosing paved areas is also banned during those hours, unless it’s needed for safety or an emergency.
Riverina Water chief executive Andrew Crakanthorp said the move was necessary to protect drinking water supplies as the heatwave dragged on.
“People need water to stay safe and cool, but the system is under real pressure,” Mr Crakanthorp said.
“What residents do right now genuinely matters.”
While handheld hoses can still be used to water gardens, Riverina Water is urging residents to avoid doing so during the heat of the day, when evaporation is highest and water use is least efficient.
Private swimming pools can no longer be filled from empty, although topping up existing pools is still allowed. Car washing is also restricted, with hoses only permitted if vehicles are washed on grass or another non-paved surface.
The restrictions come after just 2 mm of rain fell in January, with no significant rainfall for months, compounding the strain on treatment plants and storage levels.
Riverina Water says its crews are operating “around the clock” to keep supply stable, but Mr Crakanthorp said community cooperation was critical.
“We’re doing everything we can behind the scenes, but during extreme heat events, sensible water use by households and businesses makes the difference,” he said.
Residents who repeatedly ignore the restrictions could face penalties, including fines or the installation of water flow restrictors.
Riverina Water is urging people to make small changes — like switching off sprinklers, limiting hosing, and watering only when necessary — to help the region get through the heatwave.
Full details on the restrictions are available on the Riverina Water website.
