Changes to sprinkler roster now in affect across City of Karratha

Water Corporation is reminding customers in the City of Karratha that sprinklers rosters have now changed to three days per week to help protect the region’s drinking water supply.

Water Corporation North West Regional Manager Sharon Broad said the trial, which commenced on 1 April, was informed by expert advice and reflected the realities of a changing climate.

"While levels in Harding Dam have improved following recent cyclones in the region, average inflows are down by around 80 per cent over the past 30 years, and groundwater sources remain under pressure," Ms Broad said.

"Watering one day less per fortnight will save millions of litres of drinking water across the community, and garden experts have confirmed that lawns and gardens in the Pilbara can remain healthy and green on a three-day schedule.

"It's a simple change that makes a real difference, and we appreciate the community's support."

To help residents adjust, Water Corporation is offering free visits from licensed irrigation contractors to reprogram irrigation controllers.

Households are also encouraged to adopt waterwise gardening practices such as mulching, soil wetting agents and climate-appropriate plants to help gardens thrive on less water.

The roster change is one of several measures underway to strengthen water security in the West Pilbara. Similar two-day-per-week rosters have been integral to water security in Perth and southern WA since the early 2000s.

Water Corporation is also partnering with Rio Tinto to expand the Dampier Seawater Desalination Plant, delivering an additional four billion litres of drinking water annually by 2027.

Work is underway with major industry to reduce water use, alongside network upgrades and leak detection programs that saved around half a billion litres in Karratha last year.

The new roster applies across Karratha, Roebourne, Dampier, Wickham and Point Samson.

For information on watering days, the free irrigation service and other support, head to the Waterwise section.