Hosepipe bans in Britain are occasional and newsworthy. In much of Australia, rules about when and how you can water the garden are a permanent part of life, and a rainwater tank in the back garden is ordinary rather than eccentric. This article explains how water restrictions work, why they differ so much between cities, and what to know about installing and using a tank.

Why the rules exist even in wet years

Australia’s big cities draw on dams, groundwater and, increasingly, desalination plants. Rainfall is far more variable than in the UK, and long droughts are part of the climate. After severe dry spells in the 2000s, several water authorities replaced emergency bans with permanent, lower-level rules that apply all the time, then tighten them when storage falls.

These rules are set by the water authority or state government, not by your council. They change, so check the current position with your local water supplier rather than relying on what a neighbour remembers.

Two cities, two approaches

Perth is a good example of a strict regime. The city has a dry summer climate and relies heavily on groundwater and desalination. Water Corporation in Western Australia runs a sprinkler roster that limits scheme-water sprinklers to set days, allocated by address, and a winter sprinkler switch-off in many areas. Bores have their own rules. For a British gardener used to watering whenever the lawn looks thirsty, the roster takes some getting used to.

Sydney takes a lighter approach in normal times. Sydney Water publishes its everyday Water Wise Rules, which concentrate on watering in the cooler parts of the day, using a hose with a trigger nozzle rather than leaving it running, and not hosing down hard surfaces. Tighter restriction levels can be introduced when dam levels drop, as happened during the drought around 2019 and 2020.

Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and regional towns each have their own versions. Fines exist, though in practice most authorities favour warnings and education.

Rainwater tanks: the basics

A rainwater tank collects water from the roof through the gutters and downpipes. Tanks come in polyethylene, steel and concrete, from slimline units that fit down a side passage to large round tanks on rural blocks. Many newer homes already have one, because some states require water-saving measures in new houses. In New South Wales, for example, the BASIX sustainability scheme often leads builders to include a tank.

Points worth understanding before you buy or use one:

• Approval: small tanks are often exempt from council approval, but size, height, position near boundaries and heritage or flood overlays can change that. Check with your council.
• Plumbing: connecting a tank to toilets or the washing machine, or installing a pump with a mains switch-over, is plumbing work that must be done by a licensed plumber.
• Water quality: first-flush diverters, leaf guards and mesh screens keep debris, animal droppings and mosquitoes out. Most authorities advise against drinking tank water in town if mains water is available.
• Rebates: some state governments, water authorities and councils have offered rebates for tanks or connections from time to time. Availability changes, so check before buying.
• Restrictions: in many places tank water is exempt from watering restrictions, but rules may still apply to how it is used. Your water authority can confirm.

Sizing and using a tank sensibly

The useful size depends on roof area, rainfall pattern and what the water is for. A small tank fills quickly in a storm and empties within a week of garden watering, so it helps most in climates with regular rain through the year. In a dry-summer city such as Perth or Adelaide, a tank fills over winter and runs low in summer, just when the garden needs it, which is an argument for a larger tank or for planting that needs less water.

Plumbing the tank to the toilet and laundry makes better use of it, because those uses run all year and draw down the tank so it can refill with the next rain. A pump that switches to mains water automatically when the tank runs dry saves a lot of fiddling.

Garden design matters as much as the tank. Mulch, drip irrigation on a timer and plants suited to the local climate all reduce demand. The seasons themselves are reversed, too, so our upside-down gardening calendar is useful when planning when to plant and when to expect the driest weeks.

Maintenance

Clean gutters and leaf guards regularly, empty and clean the first-flush diverter, check screens for holes, and have the tank inspected for sediment every few years. A neglected tank is a mosquito breeding ground and can smell. Most of the work is the same kind of gutter-clearing a British homeowner already knows, just more often.

Questions readers ask

Can I fill my pool from a hose during restrictions?

It depends on the restriction level and your water authority. Some allow it with conditions, others require a permit or ban it at higher levels.

Do renters have to follow watering rules?

Yes. Restrictions apply to whoever uses the water, whether owner or tenant.

Can I install a tank in a strata property?

Usually only with the owners corporation’s or body corporate’s approval, since it may affect common property or external appearance.