How to turn on sprinklers after winterization

Climate change means it’s more important than ever to save water for when it’s needed most. In winter, we can let nature water our gardens and switch our sprinklers off to make big water savings.

The Winter Sprinkler Switch-off runs throughout winter from 1 June to 31 August every year. The Switch-off is mandatory for all scheme and bore water users in Perth, Mandurah, and some parts of the South West and Great Southern. Both businesses and households are included. You can check if you’re included using the tool below.

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If we all work together and switch off our sprinklers, we’ll save around 5 billion litres of water this winter.

For over a decade now, over 90% of Western Australians have shown their support by switching off before 1 June and letting mother nature take care of their gardens, saving water for our drier months.

Winter brings cooler temperatures and lower evaporation rates, meaning the plants in our gardens don’t need as much water. Most lawns also go dormant over winter, so you can leave your sprinklers off and let the rain take care of your lawn and garden instead.

Even throughout the year, your garden isn’t as thirsty as you think. The water needs of your lawn and garden change with the seasons. Adjust your sprinkler run times with the ‘Seasonal Adjustment’ setting on your irrigation controller.

What if I don’t switch-off?

The switch-off has been a permanent water saving initiative since 2010, and when everyone does their bit we bank significant water savings that can be used for the warmer months that follow.

Anyone in the Winter Sprinkler Switch-off area spotted using their sprinklers between 1 June and 31 August risks a $100 fine. Our inspectors are out 7 days a week and all complaints are investigated.

Bore water is just as precious as tap water and a resource that should be used wisely. If our inspectors see a bore user using their sprinklers during the Winter Sprinkler Switch-off period they will pass on the breach to the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, who issue infringements and are responsible for bore water licensing. There are some exemptions for bore water use, such as those using bore water for operational purposes.

For more information, you can read the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation’s FAQs.

Winter Sprinkler Switch-off and businesses

Winter Sprinkler Switch-off is mandatory for both households and businesses. This includes licensed groundwater users such as local governments, schools, golf courses, government departments, universities, TAFE campuses, major parks, race grounds and businesses that irrigate areas of non-commercial turf, lawn and gardens.

The exceptions to this are active sporting locations, such as schools and local government ovals, which are permitted to irrigate during winter due to their frequent use, safety considerations and amenity planting.

New gardens and testing your irrigation

For a new lawn or garden you need to apply for a watering exemption to use your sprinklers during the Winter Sprinkler Switch-off period. You'll need to meet the conditions applicable to your exemption or be at risk of a fine up to $500. Breaches are the responsibility of the property owner, not the person who installed the lawn, plants or sprinkler system.

We advise you to check your irrigation system after a power black-out. If you need to test your irrigation system, following a black-out, repair or installation, please visit the testing your irrigation page to find out when you can undertake the testing and what you need to know.

If you have a bore connected to your irrigation system, maintenance testing is permitted during the Winter Sprinkler Switch-off. Find out what you can do here.

Report a breach

You can report a sprinkler breach at any time by completing our sprinkler breach form.

Winter Sprinkler Switch-off does not apply to irrigation systems that use water collected by rainwater tanks. It only applies to scheme and bore water users in Perth, Mandurah and parts of the South West and Great Southern regions. However, we do encourage everyone to irrigate only when necessary, regardless of the source.

You could still receive a fine. A malfunctioning irrigation controller is not an excuse for not complying with the Winter Sprinkler Switch-off. We encourage you to check your irrigation system – especially after a power blackout.

LGAs have a water licence allocated to them by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation. The conditions of this licence do include them in the Winter Sprinkler Switch-off. However there are exceptions for maintaining high use active sporting grounds and also for bore testing. This will vary between LGAs. Most LGAs take innovative steps to ensuring their water use is as careful and sustainable as possible. This may include weather smart irrigation, hydro zoning and clever plant and lawn selection.

Get in touch with your local LGA to learn more about their water management strategy.

For many, spring is the best time of the year. When else do we get to see flowers blossom and fresh grass grow? As spring approaches, it’s time to start thinking about lawn care. It may seem like forever since you winterized your sprinklers, but it’s almost time to turn them on once again. Take a look at this guide so you can open your irrigation system properly and start the season off right.

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When’s the Best Time to Turn on Sprinklers?

Spring Start-ups are completed in April and May each year. During the start-up service, water is turned on to the sprinkler system, the controller is reset if needed and sprinkler heads are adjusted to assure proper coverage. If we find any broken sprinkler heads or other sprinkler parts that need to be repaired or replaced, we’ll bring it to the homeowner’s attention and get approval prior to making any repairs. If the repairs are covered under any warranties, we can take care of that as well.

While this process isn’t too tricky, it’s common to make a few mistakes along the way. A good rule of thumb is that you should only turn sprinklers on when any threat of freezing temperatures has passed. If the ground is too cold or pipes have frozen, damage can occur. You’ll want to turn on your system around April or May at the earliest. At the same time, you don’t want to wait until summer, because your lawn may suffer.

If you aren’t sure when to turn your sprinklers on, reach out to a professional at Nature’s Helper for assistance. Typically, we recommend turning your system on briefly after the freezing temperatures are over and then turning them back off until the end of May. At the end of May, turn your sprinkler system back on again for the season to avoid overwatering your lawn before summer.

How to Open Your Irrigation System

Once you’re ready to go, you can start to fill the pipes with water very slowly. Don’t do this too fast or you risk a surge of water blasting up through your backflow device or valves. Let the system pressurize correctly. Check each water line to ensure the water is flowing correctly. Any debris caught inside should be cleared out by now. If the system looks right, you can close the valves and place the sprinkler heads back on. 

Finally, set your timers and make sure that each zone is to your liking. Take notes of what you want to fix and then shut it down. Changes can only be made when the water is off completely. Once that’s done, your water sprinkler system is primed for another season.

Note: There may be some chattering noise as the water is flowing from the system. If water is flushing out of the cap of the backflow device, this is normal! Do not tighten the nut at the top of the device as this can break your backflow system! The backflow should seat itself within a few seconds. If the water keeps running after about 10 seconds or so, there may be debris clogging the backflow device or another issue. If that is the case, contact Nature’s Helper to take a look at the system.

Get Help from an Expert

Tools needed: Flat Screwdriver

Step 1 – Go to the backflow device outside. Turn screws (A) so they are perpendicular to the fitting (up and down).

Step 2 – Turn both blue (or green) handles (B &C) so they are perpendicular to the pipe. This means the handle (B) on the left will be up and down, and the other handle (C) will be straight across the pipe.

Step 3 – (not pictured) Go downstairs/outside to where you turn on the water. Close the drain and turn the water on.

Step 4 – Go back outside to the backflow device and turn the handle (C) parallel to the pipe (up and down).  Slowly open until water comes out of bell at the top then quickly open to pressurize valve. You might hear a popping sound.

Step 5 – Turn the other handle (the one on the left)(B) slowly so it is parallel with the pipe (straight across).

Step 6 – Turn on the clock and run the system.

The picture below shows the placement of the screws and handles on a Febco 765 Regulator:

Other Backflow Regulator Models:

• FEBCO 825Y RP
• FEBCO 860 RP
• WATTS® 800
• WATTS® 009 M4QT
• WATTS® 919

Once you have turned the water on, it’s important to run a test cycle and make sure the sprinkler heads are adjusted for coverage so you’re not watering the sidewalk or hitting the side of your house. You’ll also want to make sure all of the heads are working correctly. Otherwise, you may not realize you have a problem until brown spots appear. Need help with the adjustments or repairs? 

Get Ready for the Coming Months With Nature’s Helper

While this process may take an entire afternoon, it’s necessary if you want to avoid issues and prepare properly. Start as soon as the cold weather is gone for good so you can complete the ideal spring start-up for your system. If you find you’re unable to do this yourself or have questions, be sure to contact Nature’s Helper. We can address your concerns, teach you about your system and turn your sprinklers back on for you.

Contact us Today!