For the 2019/2020 summer season, the Bureau of Meteorology has predicted very hot weather with no forecast for significant rain. In response, Sydney now has Level 2 water restrictions in place. These restrictions apply to all residents and businesses in Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the Illawarra aside from firefighting activities.
Summer is a great time to relax and cool down in your backyard pool. But with the hotter season often comes water restrictions. In this article, we look at how these restrictions affect the pool building process.
What are Level 2 Water Restrictions?
Water restrictions generally target the outdoor use of drinking water.
As part of the water restrictions, you can only:
- Use a watering can or bucket to water your garden before 10 am and after 4 pm
- Wash your vehicles with a bucket and sponge rather than a hose
- Use drip irrigation or smart watering systems for a maximum of 15 mins a day per watering zone, before 10 am and after 4 pm
You can use greywater, recycled water and rainwater collected in a tank for activities in place of drinking water for these activities. Recycled water is available in some areas of Sydney through the purple pipes.
How Water Restrictions Affect Pool Use
You can only top up an existing pool or spa using a hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, watering can or bucket for a maximum of 15 minutes a day. You’re only allowed to do this to replace water lost through evaporation, not to replace water deliberately removed from the pool or spa.
Residents and businesses cannot:
- Fill a new or renovated pool or spa (that holds more than 500 L) with drinking water without a permit
- Leave hoses and taps running unattended
- Use water toys that connect to a hose, such as a ‘slip n’ slide’
- Allow children to play under sprinklers
There is a misrepresentation that you cannot build a new pool or spa and fill it during water restrictions. However, you can build a new pool or spa and fill it so long as you have a permit and an approved cover in use.
How to Get a Pool Permit
Once a new pool or spa is built and ready to be filled, you or your pool supplier can apply to receive a one-off pool/spa filling permit. You have to provide details such as the pool owner’s name, pool capacity, property address and proposed filling date. At Premier Pools, we have a business water restriction exemptions permit and can arrange to get a pool or spa filling permit on your behalf.
You’ll need to have an approved pool cover or lockable spa cover in use to be eligible for a permit. Any pool over 40,000 litres and/or heated (around 80% of pools built) need a blanket or cover anyway. To empty and refill an existing pool, applications are considered on a case by case basis and only approved in situations where it’s unavoidable. Reasons could include maintenance, cleaning or renovations. You should apply for a permit before removing any water.
Custom Concrete Pools in Sydney
Premier Pools are the trusted name in Sydney when comes to designing and constructing high quality bespoke pools. Our award-winning luxury pool builders take care of everything including handling any permits required for filling up your new pool. Call us today on (02) 9415 8888 or contact us online.