Water restrictions are updated and published on the Wellington Water website.
See current water restrictions
For tips on water conservation inside and outside the home, see Wellington Water’s website
Garden watering restrictions
Between September and April, water restrictions apply. This is to make sure that the primary needs of the city can be met like supplying drinking water to homes, hospitals and the commercial sector. Wellington Water introduces these restrictions to coincide with daylight saving months. Areas include Lower Hutt, Porirua and Wellington, and all year-round for Upper Hutt.
See more about Garden watering restrictions on Wellington Water's website.
View Residential outdoor water restrictions - Frequently asked questions on Wellington Water's website.
Water your garden efficiently
Wellington's highest water use happens in summer when more water is used outside, particularly on gardens.
You are able to use a hand-held hose at any time except when water supplies are very low and more stringent restrictions are in place. However, it helps if we all make an effort to conserve water all year round.
Quick fact:
In summer, if every Wellington household turned on a garden hose for 1 hour a day, 70 million extra litres of water would be used - almost double Wellington's daily winter use.
You can still keep your plants well watered by following these tips:
- Check soil moisture - if your soil is moist 10cm below the surface, you don't need to water.
- Water in cool, settled weather - water your garden on calmer days, in the cool of early morning or in the evening.
- Aim low and slow - water close to the ground at a rate the soil can absorb.
- Using a sprinkler - established plants should only need 30 minutes watering once or twice a week in dry weather.
- Use mulch - mulch protects your soil from the drying effects of wind and sun, and can cut evaporation by 70%.
Saving water in the garden (151KB PDF)