A decade of water saving celebrated as annual Winter Sprinkler Switch-off returns for 2020

• The annual Winter Sprinkler Switch-off has saved around 45 billion litres of water since introduced as a permanent water efficiency measure a decade ago
• Residents in Perth, Mandurah and parts of the South-West and Great Southern reminded to switch off their sprinklers on June 1
• Water savings in 2019 were equivalent to more than 2,220 Olympic swimming pools 

Households and businesses across Perth, Mandurah and parts of the South-West and Great Southern are being reminded to help save billions of litres of precious water by turning off their sprinklers this winter. 

The annual Winter Sprinkler Switch-off is a permanent water efficiency initiative, requiring scheme and domestic bore users to turn off their sprinklers from June 1 to August 31 when lawns and gardens require less watering.

Last year, the program saved around five billion litres of water - the equivalent of 2,222 Olympic swimming pools or enough to fill Optus Stadium five times.

Waterwise residents across Perth and southern coastal areas strongly support the Winter Sprinkler Switch-off, with around 45 billion litres of water saved since the program was introduced in 2010. 

The Water Corporation has made it easy to learn if your suburb is included by visiting http://www.watercorporation.com.au/wintersprinklerswitchoff and searching your postcode.

The Switch-off applies to both scheme and bore water users, however hand watering is permitted and some exemptions may apply. In areas of Western Australia not subject to the switch-off, normal watering rosters and daytime sprinkler bans still apply.

For details on how the Switch-off applies to bore and licensed water users go to http://www.dwer.wa.gov.au/water

Comments attributed to Water Minister Dave Kelly:

"Each winter, tens of thousands of WA households demonstrate their commitment to the waterwise message by turning off their sprinklers and saving billions of litres of precious water.

"In fact, the Winter Sprinkler Switch-off has saved around 45 billion litres of water since 2010 and that's something we should all be extremely proud of.  

"However, the job isn't over. We know that climate change is real and it's having a major impact on the amount of rainfall flowing into our dams each year.

"We all have a responsibility to help conserve water, and the simple act of turning your sprinklers off when they're not needed can save around five billion litres of water each winter.

"To ensure future generations continue to enjoy a secure, sustainable water supply, the McGowan Government through the Water Corporation is investigating new climate-independent water sources and increasing water recycling. It's also encouraging Western Australians to reduce their water use through a range of initiatives like the Winter Sprinkler Switch-off."

Minister's office - 6552 6100