Perth watering guide
Perth watering, made simple
Your sprinkler days, the winter switch-off, new-lawn exemptions and how to keep a garden green on less water. Put together by the waterwise irrigators at Perth Landscaping Renovations.
Sprinkler roster finder
What are my watering days?
Perth and Mandurah are on a two-day-a-week sprinkler roster, set by the last digit of your street number.
When we install or repair a system, we set the controller to your days and show you how it works, so you stay compliant without thinking about it.
Units and apartments use the building's street number. No number? Use your lot number.
- Mon
- Tue
- Wed
- Thu
- Fri
- Sat
- Sun
Enter your street number to see your two sprinkler days.
- Once per rostered day, before 9am or after 6pm.
- Winter switch-off: no sprinklers from 1 June to 31 August. Hand watering is fine.
- Garden bores in Perth and Mandurah follow the same roster and times.
- New lawn or garden? Apply for a Water Corporation watering exemption on install day.
Full Perth roster by last digit
| Last digit | Watering days |
|---|---|
| 1 | Wednesday & Saturday |
| 2 | Thursday & Sunday |
| 3 | Monday & Friday |
| 4 | Tuesday & Saturday |
| 5 | Wednesday & Sunday |
| 6 | Monday & Thursday |
| 7 | Tuesday & Friday |
| 8 | Wednesday & Saturday |
| 9 | Thursday & Sunday |
| 0 | Monday & Friday |
A quick guide only. Rules can change, so confirm with Water Corporation's watering days checker (opens in a new tab). Sprinklers outside your roster can attract a fine.
The rules at a glance
Five things every Perth gardener should know
Two days a week
Your sprinkler days are set by the last digit of your street number.
Before 9am or after 6pm
Once per rostered day, when less water is lost to evaporation.
Off for winter
No sprinklers from 1 June to 31 August. Hand watering is fine.
Bores too
Perth and Mandurah garden bores follow the same roster and times.
Fines apply
Water Corporation inspectors issue $100 on-the-spot fines for roster breaches.
Testing or repairing a system? Keep it to the minimum needed. The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation recommends about two minutes per station at most, ideally on your rostered day before 9am or after 6pm.
New lawns & gardens
Laying new turf? You can water more.
Water Corporation's new lawn and garden exemption lets you water outside your roster while plants establish, for roll-on lawn, runners, shredded lawn, seed and new gardens.
Days 1–10
3.5 mm 3 times a day
Before 9am, noon and 3pm
Days 11–20
5 mm Twice a day
Before 9am and 3pm
Days 21–28
10 mm Once a day
Before 9am
Days 29–42
10 mm Every second day
Before 9am
After day 42
Roster 2 days a week
Reset the controller to your watering days
Days 1–14
4 mm Twice a day
Before 9am and 2pm
Days 15–28
7.5 mm Once a day
Before 9am
Days 29–35
7.5 mm Every second day
Before 9am
After day 35
Roster 2 days a week
Reset the controller to your watering days
Apply for Water Corporation's new lawn exemption on the day the turf goes down, to get the full period. The property owner is responsible for the exemption. Schedule shown is Water Corporation's recommendation; check the current rules (opens in a new tab).
Waterwise garden tips
Greener gardens on less water
Water Corporation's waterwise steps, with a few notes from the field.
- 01
Improve your soil
Perth sand holds little water. Mix clay and organic compost into the top layer when planting; heavy clay that turns boggy in winter benefits from organic matter and gypsum.
- 02
Hydrozone
Group plants with similar water needs so each irrigation station delivers the right amount. See how we zone a garden.
- 03
Choose waterwise plants
Natives and exotics suited to WA's climate need less water and less fuss, and still bring plenty of colour.
- 04
Water efficiently
Most Perth gardens need about 10 mm of water twice a week in summer. Run times depend on your sprinkler type, so get them set properly.
- 05
Mulch, deeply
A chunky mulch around 10 cm deep reduces evaporation, keeps soil cool and suppresses weeds.
- +
Fix leaks fast
Underground leaks are usually behind a sudden jump in water use. As Waterwise Garden Irrigator Program irrigators, we find and fix them. Try the retic troubleshooter.
Questions, answered
Watering FAQs
Want a system that sticks to your roster on its own?
Talk to us about reticHow are Perth watering days worked out?
By the last digit of your street number. If you don't have one, use your lot number; units and apartments use the building's street number, and properties with several numbers use the highest.
What times can I run sprinklers?
Once on each of your two rostered days, either before 9am or after 6pm.
When is the winter sprinkler switch-off?
Sprinklers must be off from 1 June to 31 August each year in Perth and the South West. Hand watering is still allowed.
Do garden bores follow the same rules?
In Perth and Mandurah, domestic garden bore users follow the same two-day roster and times as scheme water users, and the winter switch-off applies too.
Can I water a new lawn more often?
Yes, with a Water Corporation new lawn and garden exemption, from the day of installation: up to 42 days in spring and summer (1 October to 31 March) or 35 days in autumn and winter (1 April to 30 September). Apply on install day for the full period.
What if my controller runs on the wrong day?
Sprinklers running outside your roster can still be fined, even if the controller malfunctioned. We can repair or replace controllers and set them to your days. Reticulation repairs.
Sources
Checked October 2026. Rules can change, so always confirm with the authority.