Exemption from the Permanent Water Conservation Measures

What you need to know

If you can demonstrate that you would suffer serious disadvantage from the restriction of your water use, you may apply for an exemption from the PWCM.

This exemption will not reduce your water bill, however if approved you will not be fined for breaching the PWCM. If you intend to apply for an exemption, make sure you wait for approval before risking a fine.

All exemption requests must be made online or in writing and must outline what serious disadvantage will be experienced if the application is not granted and the dates and times during which water is proposed to be used.

Where necessary, additional documentation (such as supporting letters), should be included to support your request.

Applications may be granted where there is a compelling health or public hygiene reason or where the Water Conservation Measures would be likely to cause disproportionate or unintended financial hardship to the applicant.

If your exemption request is medically based, we may require a medical proforma to be provided  by your medical practitioner.

Wherever possible we will:

• not permit watering between the hours of 11am and 5pm during spring, summer and autumn;
• assess listed water saving strategies.

If you are approved

If your exemption request is approved you must display your exemption notice at the premises so that it is clearly visible from adjoining roads and footpaths.

We reserve the right to:

• inspect properties to audit compliance with exemption conditions;
• revoke or suspend an exemption if water use contravenes exemption conditions; or
• revoke or suspend an exemption if information provided in support of an exemption application is found to be false or misleading.

We may publish or broadcast through local papers and stations that all exemptions are to be revoked or suspended. 

If the current stage of restriction changes, your exemption will be automatically revoked and you will need to apply again to reinstate your exemption.

Apply online or in writing to:

Icon Water
GPO Box 366 
Canberra ACT 2601

For further information, please contact the us during business hours on 02 6248 3111. Queanbeyan residents seeking exemption should contact the Queanbeyan-Palarang Regional Council.