The weather in Sydney is constantly changing and at one stage, it will be either too hot or cold for anyone to enjoy the outdoors. While you might want to check out some tourist attractions or go on a shopping spree, cleaning your car is something that you might not want to do. You’ll want to know if you can wash your car at home or not.
Ah yes, the inconveniences of city living: limited parking, high petrol prices and… not being able to wash your car at home in Sydney. But, thanks to a little-known loophole in the local laws and some choice creative thinking, it’s pretty easy to get around the restrictions on washing cars for cash.
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Can I wash my car at home in Sydney?
You can wash your car at home in Sydney as long as you use a bucket and sponge, or a hose fitted with a trigger nozzle. You must not allow any soapy water to enter the stormwater system – this includes driveways/roads and gutters.
There are certain things that need to be done when washing your car and these things cannot be done at home by yourself.
Firstly, the water you use at home is soft, which means it will damage your car’s paintwork. Soft water contains magnesium, which can leave spots on your car’s paint after drying.
A professional car wash will use filtered water to wash your car. Filtered water is called hard water because it contains calcium, which doesn’t leave marks on your car.
Do I need to register my car wash with the State Government?
Yes, if you run a car wash from your home. Under the NSW EPA Act and Regulations, a licence is required to operate a commercial car wash. All businesses that wash cars must hold a current licence, which they can apply for by contacting their local council.
It’s not just local councils that are ensuring car washes are kept in line with their environmental responsibilities. The Local Government and Shires Association of New South Wales (LGSA) has also been pro-active in keeping an eye on those running illegal car washes. A memorandum of understanding between the LGSA and the EPA assists with information sharing and training between the agencies to ensure compliance with all laws.
What are the water restrictions for washing cars in Sydney
Washing your car at home can be a great way to save money. But before you get out the hose, it is important to know what the water restrictions are.
Water restrictions were first introduced in Sydney in 2003 as a way to manage the low level of dam storage. Since then, they have been modified and changed to reflect current conditions. While restrictions were lifted in 2009 and 2010, they were reintroduced in 2011 due to ongoing drought conditions. While water levels are currently at a 10 year high, Sydney Water continues to enforce the water restrictions so that there is enough water for everyone and that we do not run into the same problems as before
Do all other states and territories of Sydney have the same water restrictions?
No. Sydney’s water restrictions are unique to the region.
While the New South Wales Government has implemented Stage 1 water restrictions across the entire state, they do not apply in Sydney and its surrounding suburbs. Instead, Sydney Water implements its own water restrictions through drought periods, depending on the level of supply available.
Currently, there is no water restriction in place for people living in Sydney, Wollongong or the Blue Mountains.
The current level of supply available means that all Sydney residents can wash their cars at home using a hose with a trigger nozzle (or bucket and sponge) at any time of day. This is consistent with the Water Wise Rules enforced across all other states and territories of Australia.
If you live outside of these three regions, refer to our NSW Water Restrictions page for more details about your specific area.
What about using a professional carwash service, is that ok?
As we have already established, water restrictions limit the use of your hose to no more than two hours per day. So what about using a professional carwash service, is that ok?
The answer to this question is a resounding yes. Professional carwashes not only provide you with the convenience of not having to do it yourself, they are dedicated to providing an environmentally friendly service which complies with the strictest water restrictions in the world.
A professional carwash recycles its water for up to six months before replacing it. This means that any car wash you get from a professional service uses water that has already been used up to six times. This drastically reduces the amount of fresh drinking water used, and in most cases means you’re actually using less water than if you washed your vehicle at home.
But isn’t a professional carwash expensive? Not necessarily. With prices starting as low as $19 for a basic wash, most people can easily afford it on a regular basis. If you want to be really thrifty, look out for discounts and special offers in your local area. You may be able to get the same service for even less than $19!
Conclusion
In essence, the water restrictions in Sydney do not focus on whether or not you can wash your car – but rather how much water you can use. You can only use a bucket (no hoses) and if you have a trigger nozzle (this allows you to control the flow of water) this is even better. The bottom line is that you cannot use a hosepipe to wash your car at home. Both residents and businesses can only use a bucket with a trigger nozzle when washing their cars.
The other important rule here is that there are certain days that you can wash your car. If you live in an even numbered house, then you can only wash your car on an odd day of the month.