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 City Vision - Environment
Clean water through control of pollution entering our waterways and through protecting of these waterways.
Water is one of the most important natural resources for humans and our environment. Clean water supports a healthy ecosystem and thereby our own health. However, the reverse is also true: a healthy ecosystem generates and maintains a clean water supply and hence benefits our own health.
Sydney’s water resources are under pressure from the increasing demand for, and consumption of, town water supplies by the Sydney community. Population growth, lifestyle changes and the uncertainty of future climate change make the extent of these pressures difficult to measure.
Council has initiated programs to improve the health of our waterways, reduce its own water consumption and to educate and assist the community in water conservation measures.
City of Ryde Water Savings Action Plan - 31 March 2006
For any enquiries please contact Sam Cappelli - Manager The Environment on (02) 9952 8222.
Restrictions
The following Level THREE mandatory restrictions with vehicle and home exemptions now apply to all Sydney Water customers including residents, businesses, local councils and government agencies.
- Hand held hosing of lawns and gardens and drip irrigation is allowed only on Wednesdays and Sundays before 10am and after 4pm;
- Hosing of vehicles at residential premises is permitted only with a trigger nozzle or high-pressure water cleaning equipment;
- Hosing residential building structures including windows, walls and gutters is permitted only using a hose with a trigger nozzle or high pressure water cleaning equipment;
- No hosing of hard surfaces such as paths or driveways;
- No other watering systems or sprinklers are to be used at any time;
- A permit from Sydney Water is required to fill new or renovated pools bigger than 10,000 litres;
- No hoses or taps to be left running unattended, except when filling pools or containers; and
- Fire hoses must only be used for fire fighting purposes - not for cleaning.'
The following are still permitted at anytime
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Using a bucket or watering can to wash and rinse vehicles or water lawns and gardens.
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Topping up any existing swimming pool.
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Filling a pool less than 10,000L capacity.
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Using water from a rainwater tank, as long as it is not connected to a Sydney Water main.
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Using a hose with a trigger nozzle or high pressure cleaning device to clean boat bilges and boat trailer brakes and wheels.
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Using a hose to flush boat engines.
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Cleaning garbage bins using a hose fitted with a trigger nozzle or with an on/off switch. This should be done within an official bin wash area or on grass.
Bore water, grey water, recycled water and water used for fire fighting and related activities are excluded from the restrictions.
Exemptions may apply for some water use. All exemptions granted during Level one and two restrictions will continue to apply. All exemptions are subject to change, following regular reviews as the drought progresses.
Greywater
Greywater is household wastewater that has not come into contact with toilet waste. It comes from the kitchen sink, dishwasher, bath, shower, bathroom hand wash basin, clothes washing machine, and laundry trough. Water from household air conditioners is not greywater, and there is no objection to its reuse on gardens.
What is the current policy?
The Department of Health currently has a greywater reuse policy Greywater Reuse in Sewered Single Domestic Premises - April 2000.
Long term sustainable greywater reuse should be in accordance with this reuse policy and as required under current legislation.
Why reuse greywater?
New South Wales is experiencing water restrictions due to current drought conditions and the critically low levels of surface water storage.
It is recognised that in times such as these many householders like to conserve water by reusing their greywater on their gardens.
How can I reuse greywater during the drought?
Wastewater from the kitchen sink (apart from final rinse water) and dishwasher should not be reused as these can contain heavy loads of organic material, fats and caustic additives. Greywater from the bath, shower, laundry trough and washing machine (final rinse water only) and wash hand basin are the most readily available sources of greywater that can be reused.
Only by using a bucket, or similar receptacle, can these types of greywater be collected and applied to garden or lawn areas. This manual application will assist in keeping health risks to a minimum. Drainage systems must not be altered to allow the direct diversion of greywater to the ground surface.
If the house is serviced by reticulated sewerage, it is important not to reuse all the greywater. Some greywater is needed to help flush sewer pipes to prevent blockages.
The Dos
- Do select garden friendly detergents. Only biodegradable products and products with low phosphorus, sodium, boron, chlorine and borax should be used. Bleaches and fabric softeners should be used sparingly. Disinfectants should not be used at all.
- Do apply greywater in several locations rather than one single point, so that pooling of greywater does not occur.
- Do apply greywater to areas that are not readily accessible to children and household pets.
- Do be careful lifting and carrying buckets of greywater particularly over slippery surfaces and on stairs.
The Dont's
- Don't use greywater from the washing of nappies and soiled clothing.
- Don't use greywater when a household resident has an infectious disease such as diarrhoea, infectious hepatitis, intestinal parasites, etc.
- Don't apply greywater on edible plants or where fruit fallen to the ground is eaten.
- Don't apply greywater during rain.
- Don't apply greywater so that it flows into the street or down storm water drains.
- Don't store greywater. Stored greywater will turn septic giving rise to offensive odours and provide conditions for micro-organisms to multiply, and will attract flies and cockroaches.
- Don't let your greywater go beyond your property and cause a nuisance for your neighbours.
- Don't over water. Over application of greywater may clog the soil causing the pooling of greywater, which can result in the development of unsightly areas of grey / green slime. This slime is caused by the presence of soaps, shampoos, detergents and grease in greywater. The accumulation of slime can cause odours, attract insects and cause environmental damage.
- Don't spray irrigate greywater.
- Don't connect pipes or hoses to household drainage lines or appliances.
- Don't use greywater to wash paths, driveways or cars.
Further Information
For further information and advice contact the Area Health Service Public Health Unit or Council's Environmental Health Team on (02) 9952 8222 or download an Information Sheet (PDF 83KB).
Pollution
Council Environmental Health Officers investigate water pollution incidents and arrange emergency clean-ups if required. There is no fee for reporting an incident. Any person wishing to report an incident should during contact Council's Customer Service Centre, (02) 9952 8222 during office hours, or the EPA Pollution Line after hours 13 1555.
For more information visit our Pollutions page.
Water Tanks
The City Of Ryde encourages the use of rainwater tanks to enable residents to save water in their homes. Collecting rainwater from roofs and using it in the garden, laundry or toilet helps prevent the waste of valuable rainwater that would otherwise go directly into the stormwater system.
Under the NSW Government’s Climate Change Fund amended the terms and conditions of the Rainwater Tank Rebate Program: from 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2009 households will be able to get expanded rebates for rainwater tanks connected both to toilets and washing machines, and tanks will now be connected directly to the mains water plumbing, provided a preventative backflow device is installed.
The City of Ryde has produced several easy to read kits explaining the rebates, visit our Sustainability Product Information Kit and Rebates page.
Full details about plumbing requirements are available from Sydney Water's website at www.sydneywater.com.au or by calling 132 092.
Summary of Rebates
| Tank(s) Capacity |
Rebate |
| 2,000-3,999 litres |
$150 |
| 4,000-6,999 litres |
$400 |
| 7,000 litres and above |
$500 |
| plus connection to toilet(s) |
$500 |
| plus connection to washing machine |
$500 |
In addition, from 1 October 2007, the rebate program will include insulation and from 1 January 2008, energy-efficient hot water systems.
Note: All rebates are for existing properties and cannot be used to fulfil BASIX or other regulatory requirements.
For full details about the Rainwater Tank Rebate and an application form visit www.sydneywater.com.au or call Sydney Water on 13 20 92.
If you are not a Sydney Water customer, visit www.environment.nsw.gov.au/rebates or call 1300 361 967 to apply for the rebate.
Do I need Development Approval from Council?
Yes and No.
It all depends on the location of your property. Under current State Law, SEPP 4 (amendment 15) allows certain rainwater tanks as exempt development, which means you can install a rainwater tank up to 10,000 litres without Council approval, provided you satisfy pre- determined standards as detailed in the checklist.
However if your property is in an environmentally sensitive area or if you do not meet the specified standards, you will need to lodge a development application with Council.
Rainwater Tank Checklist (PDF 29KB)
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