Stage 1 water restrictions

Auckland's water supply is currently stable

That means Auckland is in the water is precious stage where we encourage everyone to use water wisely

The sections below outline what to do if stage 1 restrictions are introduced

Residential restrictions

watering a lawn

Watering lawns and gardens in residential premises

This is only permitted with an irrigation system, trigger nozzle on a handheld hose, or bucket in line with the following schedules:

  • (a) Odd numbered properties - before 7am and after 7pm - Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

  • (b) Even or un-numbered (rural) properties - before 7am and after 7pm - Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

A bucket or watering can may be used any time, any day.

concrete pavement

Cleaning hard surfaces in residential premises

  • Cleaning of paths, roads, driveways or outdoor artificial surfaces is not permitted except for spot cleaning for health and safety or biosecurity purposes. This must be done with a high-pressure water cleaner or water from a bucket.

cleaning a car

General outdoor cleaning (other than hard surfaces) in residential premises

General outdoor cleaning can occur at any time using:

  • A bucket or a high-pressure water cleaner for no longer than 10 minutes a day. 

General outdoor cleaning includes (but is not limited to): 

  • Exterior of building, landscaping (e.g. retaining walls).

  • Entertainment and eating areas.

  • Vehicles (e.g. cars, boats, caravans, trailers, bikes, buses, trucks).

  • Outdoor furniture and related equipment.

  • Rubbish bins, tools and related equipment, animal enclosures and kennels. 

swimming pool

Swimming pools, spas and recreational water use in residential premises

  • Topping up an existing pool or spa to replace water lost is authorised using a handheld hose or bucket only. 

  • Filling of new or renovated pool or spa pool (volume >500L) is allowed only if a permanent pool/spa cover is in place to reduce evaporation. 

  • Paddling or temporary pools holding more than 500L may not be filled. 

tankered water

Use of tankered drinking water 

  • Tankers can only source drinking water from approved filling stations.

  • Tankers supplying the wider Auckland region for essential uses only are permitted to fill from our system. 

  • Residential customers that receive water from tankers that source water from our filling stations are subject to the same restrictions as our customers on the network. 


commercial water restrictions
 

Watering lawns and gardens in non-residential premises

  • Voluntary savings target of 5-10%.

Non-business related cleaning

  • Voluntary savings target of 5-10%.

Commercial business functions

  • Voluntary savings target of 5-10%.

Agricultural and horticultural uses

  • Replace potable water (water from the metropolitan network) with alternative sources where possible.

  • Irrigation watering permitted only as required using a handheld hose with a trigger nozzle, watering can or bucket, or an irrigation system with an automated weather adjustment, rain sensor or soil moisture sensor.

Use of tankered drinking water

  • Tankers can only source drinking water from approved Watercare filling stations.

  • Tankers supplying the wider Auckland region for essential uses only are permitted to fill from our system.

  • Non-residential customers receiving water from tankers that source water from Watercare filling stations are subject to the same restrictions as our customers connected to the metropolitan network. Please see the residential restrictions section at the top of this page.


Click the water drops to reveal the restriction stages
Water is precious
Preparing for drought
Stage 1 water restrictions
Stage 2 water restrictions
Stage 3 water restrictions
Stage 4 water restrictions