{"id":"sl-2006-9","name":"Utilities (Water Conservation) Regulation 2006","slug":"utilities-water-conservation-regulation-2006","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"act","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"9 of 2006","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":173909,"registerId":"act-sl-2006-9-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Utilities (Water Conservation) Regulation 2006","content":"Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nUtilities (Water Conservation)\nRegulation 2006\nSL2006-9\nmade under the\nUtilities Act 2000\nRepublication No 3\nEffective: 8 July 2023\nRepublication date: 8 July 2023\nLast amendment made by A2023-26\n\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAbout this republication\nThe republished law\nThis is a republication of the Utilities (Water Conservation) Regulation 2006, made under the\nUtilities Act 2000 (including any amendment made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3\n(Editorial changes)) as in force on 8 July 2023. It also includes any commencement, amendment,\nrepeal or expiry affecting this republished law to 8 July 2023.\nThe legislation history and amendment history of the republished law are set out in endnotes 3\nand 4.\nKinds of republications\nThe Parliamentary Counsel’s Office prepares 2 kinds of republications of ACT laws (see the ACT\nlegislation register at www.legislation.act.gov.au):\n• authorised republications to which the Legislation Act 2001 applies\n• unauthorised republications.\nThe status of this republication appears on the bottom of each page.\nEditorial changes\nThe Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 authorises the Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial\namendments and other changes of a formal nature when preparing a law for republication.\nEditorial changes do not change the effect of the law, but have effect as if they had been made by\nan Act commencing on the republication date (see Legislation Act 2001, s 115 and s 117). The\nchanges are made if the Parliamentary Counsel considers they are desirable to bring the law into\nline, or more closely into line, with current legislative drafting practice.\nThis republication includes amendments made under part 11.3 (see endnote 1).\nUncommenced provisions and amendments\nIf a provision of the republished law has not commenced, the symbol U appears immediately\nbefore the provision heading. Any uncommenced amendments that affect this republished law\nare accessible on the ACT legislation register (www.legislation.act.gov.au). For more\ninformation, see the home page for this law on the register.\nModifications\nIf a provision of the republished law is affected by a current modification, the\nsymbol M appears immediately before the provision heading. The text of the modifying\nprovision appears in the endnotes. For the legal status of modifications, see the Legislation\nAct 2001, section 95.\nPenalties\nAt the republication date, the value of a penalty unit for an offence against this law is $160 for an\nindividual and $810 for a corporation (see Legislation Act 2001, s 133).\n\nR3\n08/07/23\nUtilities (Water Conservation) Regulation 2006\nEffective: 08/07/23\ncontents 1\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nUtilities (Water Conservation)\nRegulation 2006\nmade under the\nUtilities Act 2000\nContents\nPage\nPart 1 Preliminary\n1 Name of regulation 2\n3 Dictionary 2\n4 Notes 2\nPart 2 Water conservation measures\n5 Water conservation measures—approval 3\n6 Additional notice of water conservation measures 4\n\nContents\nPage\ncontents 2 Utilities (Water Conservation) Regulation 2006\nEffective: 08/07/23\nR3\n08/07/23\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n7 Contravening approved water conservation measures 4\n8 Temporary water restrictions—effect on approved water conservation\nmeasures 4\nPart 3 Temporary water restrictions\n9 Temporary water restriction scheme—approval 5\n10 Scope of temporary water restriction scheme 5\n11 Public inspection of scheme documents 6\n12 Imposition of temporary water restrictions 6\n13 Additional public notice of temporary water restrictions 7\n14 Contravening temporary water restrictions 7\nPart 4 Enforcement—conservation measures and\ntemporary restrictions\n15 Application—pt 4 8\n16 Directions to comply with conservation measure or temporary\nrestriction 8\n17 Contravening directions to comply with conservation measure or\ntemporary restriction 9\n18 Power to enter premises—contravention of conservation measure or\ntemporary restriction 9\n19 Ending unauthorised use of water 10\nPart 5 Preventing waste of water\n20 Application—pt 5 12\n21 Meaning of waste—pt 5 12\n22 Directions to end waste of water 12\n23 Contravening directions to end waste of water 13\n24 Power to enter premises—waste of water 13\n25 Ending waste of water 13\nPart 6 Miscellaneous\n26 Production of identity card 16\n27 Damage etc to be minimised 16\n\nContents\nPage\nR3\n08/07/23\nUtilities (Water Conservation) Regulation 2006\nEffective: 08/07/23\ncontents 3\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nDictionary 18\nEndnotes\n1 About the endnotes 19\n2 Abbreviation key 19\n3 Legislation history 20\n4 Amendment history 21\n5 Earlier republications 21\n\n\n\nR3\n08/07/23\nUtilities (Water Conservation) Regulation 2006\nEffective: 08/07/23\npage 1\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nUtilities (Water Conservation)\nRegulation 2006\nmade under the\nUtilities Act 2000\n\nPart 1 Preliminary\nSection 1\npage 2 Utilities (Water Conservation) Regulation 2006\nEffective: 08/07/23\nR3\n08/07/23\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 1 Preliminary\n1 Name of regulation\nThis regulation is the Utilities (Water Conservation) Regulation\n2006.\n3 Dictionary\nThe dictionary at the end of this regulation is part of this regulation.\nNote 1 The dictionary at the end of this regulation defines certain terms used in\nthis regulation, and includes references (signpost definitions) to other\nterms defined elsewhere in this regulation.\nFor example, the signpost definition ‘approved water conservation\nmeasures—see section 5.’ means that the term ‘approved water\nconservation measure’ is defined in that section.\nNote 2 A definition in the dictionary (including a signpost definition) applies to\nthe entire regulation unless the definition, or another provision of the\nregulation, provides otherwise or the contrary intention otherwise appears\n(see Legislation Act, s 155 and s 156 (1)).\n4 Notes\nA note included in this regulation is explanatory and is not part of this\nregulation.\nNote See the Legislation Act, s 127 (1), (4) and (5) for the legal status of notes.\n\nWater conservation measures Part 2\nSection 5\nR3\n08/07/23\nUtilities (Water Conservation) Regulation 2006\nEffective: 08/07/23\npage 3\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 2 Water conservation measures\n5 Water conservation measures—approval\n(1) The Minister may approve measures (approved water conservation\nmeasures) developed by a utility if satisfied that—\n(a) the measures are necessary or desirable to—\n(i) conserve the water resources of the utility to meet the\nreasonably foreseeable needs of consumers; and\n(ii) ensure that water supplied by the utility is used more\nefficiently; and\n(b) the measures adequately protect the interests of consumers; and\n(c) the utility developed the measures in consultation with the\ndirector-general responsible for the Water Resources Act 2007.\n(2) An approval is a disallowable instrument.\nNote 1 A disallowable instrument must be notified, and presented to the\nLegislative Assembly, under the Legislation Act.\nNote 2 The power to make a statutory instrument (including a disallowable\ninstrument) includes power to make different provisions in relation to\ndifferent matters or different classes of matters, and provisions that apply\ndifferently by reference to stated exceptions or factors (see Legislation\nAct, s 48).\n(3) An approved water conservation measure may include provision for\nthe utility to exempt a consumer from the measure if compliance with\nit would cause the consumer serious detriment.\n\nPart 2 measures—approval\nSection 6\npage 4 Utilities (Water Conservation) Regulation 2006\nEffective: 08/07/23\nR3\n08/07/23\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n6 Additional notice of water conservation measures\n(1) The utility that developed approved water conservation measures—\n(a) must make copies of a document or documents setting out the\nmeasures available for inspection by members of the public—\n(i) during ordinary office hours at the head office of the utility;\nand\n(ii) on the utility’s web site on the internet; and\n(b) may give public notice of the details of the measures.\nNote Public notice means notice on an ACT government website or in a\ndaily newspaper circulating in the ACT (see Legislation Act, dict,\npt 1).\n(2) The utility may also make the document or documents available for\ninspection at any other place decided by the utility.\n7 Contravening approved water conservation measures\n(1) The occupier of premises commits an offence if water is used at the\npremises in contravention of an approved water conservation\nmeasure.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(2) An offence against this section is a strict liability offence.\n8 Temporary water restrictions—effect on approved water\nconservation measures\nAn approved water conservation measure has no effect to the extent\nthat it is inconsistent with a temporary water restriction.\n\nTemporary water restrictions Part 3\nSection 9\nR3\n08/07/23\nUtilities (Water Conservation) Regulation 2006\nEffective: 08/07/23\npage 5\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 3 Temporary water restrictions\n9 Temporary water restriction scheme—approval\n(1) The Minister may approve a scheme developed by a utility for\ntemporary restrictions on the use of water supplied by the utility if\nsatisfied that—\n(a) it may be necessary or desirable for the utility to be able to\nimpose restrictions under the scheme to avoid or reduce the\neffect of a shortage (including an anticipated shortage) in water\nneeded for consumers; and\n(b) having regard to the shortage, the approved water conservation\nmeasures are not likely to ensure an efficient, reliable and\nsustainable supply of water to meet the needs of consumers; and\n(c) the scheme adequately protects the interests of consumers; and\n(d) the utility developed the scheme in consultation with the\ndirector-general responsible for the Water Resources Act 2007.\n(2) An approval is a disallowable instrument.\nNote A disallowable instrument must be notified, and presented to the\nLegislative Assembly, under the Legislation Act.\n10 Scope of temporary water restriction scheme\n(1) The Minister may approve a temporary water restriction scheme\nunder section 9 only if the scheme includes provision in relation to\nthe following:\n(a) a range of temporary restrictions to be imposed in stages on the\nuse of water by consumers;\n(b) the imposition of each stage of temporary restrictions by\nreference to 1 or more of the following:\n(i) the source, capacity or quality of stored water available to\nthe utility for water services;\n\nPart 3 Temporary\nSection 11\npage 6 Utilities (Water Conservation) Regulation 2006\nEffective: 08/07/23\nR3\n08/07/23\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(ii) the rate of consumption of water supplied by the utility;\n(iii) any reduction in water consumption to be achieved; and\n(c) the operation and revocation of each stage of temporary\nrestrictions, whether by reference to a period or circumstances.\n(2) An approved temporary water restriction scheme may include\nprovision for the utility to exempt a consumer from a temporary water\nrestriction if compliance with the restriction would cause the\nconsumer serious detriment.\n(3) This section does not limit the scope of an approved temporary water\nrestriction scheme.\n11 Public inspection of scheme documents\n(1) The utility that developed an approved temporary water restriction\nscheme must make copies of a document or documents setting out the\nscheme available for inspection by members of the public—\n(a) during ordinary office hours at the head office of the utility; and\n(b) on the utility’s web site on the internet.\n(2) The utility may also make the document or documents available for\ninspection at any other place decided by the utility.\n12 Imposition of temporary water restrictions\n(1) A utility may impose restrictions on the use of water by consumers\nby declaring that temporary water restrictions under a stage of an\napproved temporary water restriction scheme are in force.\n(2) The imposition of temporary water restrictions under subsection (1)\nmust be in accordance with the approved water restriction scheme.\n(3) To remove any doubt, a utility may make more than 1 declaration in\nrelation to the same stage of temporary water restrictions.\n\nTemporary Part 3\nSection 13\nR3\n08/07/23\nUtilities (Water Conservation) Regulation 2006\nEffective: 08/07/23\npage 7\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(4) Before making a declaration, the utility must—\n(a) consult the director-general responsible for the Water Resources\nAct 2007 about the proposed declaration; and\n(b) tell the Minister of its intention to make the declaration.\n(5) A declaration is a notifiable instrument.\nNote 1 A notifiable instrument must be notified under the Legislation Act.\nNote 2 The power to make a declaration includes the power to revoke the\ndeclaration (see Legislation Act, s 46).\n13 Additional public notice of temporary water restrictions\nThe utility must give additional public notice, and notice on the\nutilities website, of—\n(a) a declaration under section 12 (5); and\n(b) details of the temporary water restrictions in force under the\ndeclaration.\nNote Public notice means notice on an ACT government website or in a daily\nnewspaper circulating in the ACT (see Legislation Act, dict, pt 1). The\nrequirement in this section is in addition to the requirement for\nnotification on the legislation register as a notifiable instrument.\n14 Contravening temporary water restrictions\n(1) The occupier of premises commits an offence if water is used at the\npremises in contravention of a temporary water restriction.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(2) An offence against this section is a strict liability offence.\n\nPart 4 Enforcement—conservation measures and temporary restrictions\nSection 15\npage 8 Utilities (Water Conservation) Regulation 2006\nEffective: 08/07/23\nR3\n08/07/23\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 4 Enforcement—conservation\nmeasures and temporary\nrestrictions\n15 Application—pt 4\nAn authorised person for a utility may exercise a function under this\npart only in relation to water supplied by the utility at premises to\nwhich the utility provides water services.\n16 Directions to comply with conservation measure or\ntemporary restriction\n(1) This section applies if an authorised person for a utility believes, on\nreasonable grounds, that—\n(a) water has been used, or is being used, at premises in\ncontravention of an approved water conservation measure or a\ntemporary water restriction; or\n(b) water has been used at premises in contravention of an approved\nwater conservation measure or a temporary water restriction and\nthat a further contravention is likely.\n(2) The authorised person may give the occupier of the premises a written\ndirection to take action stated in the direction to ensure that water is\nused in accordance with the approved water conservation measure or\ntemporary water restriction.\n(3) It is sufficient if the direction is addressed to ‘the occupier’ of the\npremises.\n(4) The direction may state a period in which the person must comply\nwith the direction.\n\nEnforcement—conservation measures and temporary restrictions Part 4\nSection 17\nR3\n08/07/23\nUtilities (Water Conservation) Regulation 2006\nEffective: 08/07/23\npage 9\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(5) The direction may also be given—\n(a) by leaving it in the letterbox at the premises; or\n(b) by securing it in a conspicuous place at the premises.\nNote For other ways in which the direction may be given, see the Legislation\nAct, pt 19.5.\n17 Contravening directions to comply with conservation\nmeasure or temporary restriction\n(1) A person commits an offence if—\n(a) an authorised person for a utility gives the person a direction\nunder section 16; and\n(b) the person contravenes the direction.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(2) An offence against this section is a strict liability offence.\n18 Power to enter premises—contravention of conservation\nmeasure or temporary restriction\n(1) This section applies if an authorised person for a utility believes, on\nreasonable grounds, that water has been used, or is being used, at\npremises in contravention of an approved water conservation measure\nor a temporary water restriction.\n(2) For this section, an authorised person for a utility may enter any part\nof the premises (other than a part used for residential purposes) at any\nreasonable time, and—\n(a) inspect the premises and anything at the premises; and\n(b) take action under section 19 (Ending unauthorised use of water).\n(3) For subsection (2), the authorised person may enter the premises with\nany necessary and reasonable assistance and force.\n\nPart 4 Enforcement—conservation measures and temporary restrictions\nSection 19\npage 10 Utilities (Water Conservation) Regulation 2006\nEffective: 08/07/23\nR3\n08/07/23\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n19 Ending unauthorised use of water\n(1) An authorised person for a utility may take action under this section\nif the authorised person believes, on reasonable grounds, that a person\nis contravening a direction under section 16 (Directions to comply\nwith conservation measure or temporary restriction).\n(2) An authorised person for a utility may also take action under this\nsection if the authorised person believes, on reasonable grounds,\nthat—\n(a) water is being used at premises in contravention of an approved\nwater conservation measure or a temporary water restriction;\nand\n(b) a direction under section 16 is unlikely to end the contravention\nbecause, for example—\n(i) the premises are unoccupied (whether temporarily or\npermanently); or\n(ii) after making reasonable inquiries, the authorised person\ncannot find the occupier of the premises; or\n(iii) the occupier is unlikely to comply with the direction; and\n(c) the contravention is likely to continue unless action is taken\nunder this section.\n(3) The authorised person may do any of the following:\n(a) adjust a tap or other water outlet to end the contravention;\n(b) if equipment is used to control the use of water at the premises—\nadjust the operation of the equipment so that water is used only\nin accordance with the water conservation measures or\ntemporary water restrictions;\n(c) if the authorised person cannot make the adjustment mentioned\nin paragraph (b)—stop the supply of water to the equipment.\n\nEnforcement—conservation measures and temporary restrictions Part 4\nSection 19\nR3\n08/07/23\nUtilities (Water Conservation) Regulation 2006\nEffective: 08/07/23\npage 11\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(4) If action under subsection (3) (a) or (c) is impracticable, the\nauthorised person may stop the supply of water to the premises from\nthe water network to prevent the contravention.\n(5) The authorised person must give the occupier of the premises a\nwritten notice stating particulars of the action taken under this section.\n(6) It is sufficient if the notice is addressed to ‘the occupier’ of the\npremises.\n(7) The notice may also be given—\n(a) by leaving it in the letterbox at the premises; or\n(b) by securing it in a conspicuous place at the premises.\nNote For other ways in which the direction may be given, see the Legislation\nAct, pt 19.5.\n\nPart 5 Preventing waste of water\nSection 20\npage 12 Utilities (Water Conservation) Regulation 2006\nEffective: 08/07/23\nR3\n08/07/23\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 5 Preventing waste of water\n20 Application—pt 5\nAn authorised person for a utility may exercise a function under this\npart only in relation to water supplied by the utility at premises to\nwhich the utility provides water services.\n21 Meaning of waste—pt 5\nIn this part:\nwaste, in relation to water, means the escape of water from defective\nequipment connected directly or indirectly to the utility’s water\nnetwork.\nExamples of equipment\n1 tap\n2 timer\n3 hose\n22 Directions to end waste of water\n(1) This section applies if an authorised person for a utility believes, on\nreasonable grounds, that water is being wasted at premises and that,\nunless action is taken under this part, the waste is likely to continue.\n(2) The authorised person may give the occupier of the premises a written\ndirection to take action stated in the direction to end the waste of\nwater.\n(3) It is sufficient if the direction is addressed to ‘the occupier’ of the\npremises.\n(4) The direction may state a period in which the person must comply\nwith the direction.\n(5) The direction may also be given—\n(a) by leaving it in the letterbox at the premises; or\n\nPreventing waste of water Part 5\nSection 23\nR3\n08/07/23\nUtilities (Water Conservation) Regulation 2006\nEffective: 08/07/23\npage 13\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(b) by securing it in a conspicuous place at the premises.\nNote For other ways in which the direction may be given, see the Legislation\nAct, pt 19.5.\n23 Contravening directions to end waste of water\n(1) A person commits an offence if—\n(a) an authorised person for a utility gives the person a direction\nunder section 22; and\n(b) the person contravenes the direction.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(2) An offence against this section is a strict liability offence.\n24 Power to enter premises—waste of water\n(1) This section applies if an authorised person for a utility believes, on\nreasonable grounds, that water is being wasted at premises and that,\nwithout action under this part, the waste is likely to continue\n(2) For this section, an authorised person for a utility may enter any part\nof the premises (other than a part used for residential purposes) at any\nreasonable time, and—\n(a) inspect the premises and anything at the premises; and\n(b) take action under section 25 (Ending waste of water).\n(3) For subsection (2), the authorised person may enter the premises with\nany necessary and reasonable assistance and force.\n25 Ending waste of water\n(1) An authorised person for a utility may take action under this section\nif the authorised person believes, on reasonable grounds, that a person\nis contravening a direction under section 23 (Contravening directions\nto end waste of water).\n\nPart 5 Preventing waste of water\nSection 25\npage 14 Utilities (Water Conservation) Regulation 2006\nEffective: 08/07/23\nR3\n08/07/23\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(2) An authorised person for a utility may also take action under this\nsection if the authorised person believes, on reasonable grounds,\nthat—\n(a) water is being wasted at premises; and\n(b) a direction under section 23 is unlikely to end the waste because,\nfor example—\n(i) the premises are unoccupied (whether temporarily or\npermanently); or\n(ii) after making reasonable inquiries, the authorised person\ncannot find the occupier of the premises; or\n(iii) the occupier is unlikely to comply with the direction; and\n(c) the waste is likely to continue unless action is taken under this\nsection.\n(3) The authorised person may do any of the following:\n(a) adjust a tap or other water outlet to end the waste;\n(b) if equipment is used to control the use, or permit the flow, of\nwater at the premises—adjust the operation of the equipment to\nend the waste;\n(c) if the authorised person cannot make the adjustment mentioned\nin paragraph (b)—stop the supply of water to the equipment.\n(4) If action under subsection (3) (a) or (c) is impracticable, the\nauthorised person may stop the supply of water to the premises from\nthe water network to end the waste of water.\n(5) The authorised person must give the occupier of the premises a\nwritten notice stating particulars of the action taken under this section.\n(6) It is sufficient if the notice is addressed to ‘the occupier’ of the\npremises.\n\nPreventing waste of water Part 5\nSection 25\nR3\n08/07/23\nUtilities (Water Conservation) Regulation 2006\nEffective: 08/07/23\npage 15\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(7) The notice may also be given—\n(a) by leaving it in the letterbox at the premises; or\n(b) by securing it in a conspicuous place at the premises.\nNote For other ways in which the direction may be given, see the Legislation\nAct, pt 19.5.\n\nPart 6 Miscellaneous\nSection 26\npage 16 Utilities (Water Conservation) Regulation 2006\nEffective: 08/07/23\nR3\n08/07/23\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 6 Miscellaneous\n26 Production of identity card\nAn authorised person for a utility must not remain at premises entered\nunder part 2 (Water conservation measures) or part 3 (Temporary\nwater restrictions) if, when asked by the occupier, the authorised\nperson does not produce his or her identity card for inspection by the\noccupier.\n27 Damage etc to be minimised\n(1) In the exercise, or purported exercise, of a function under this\nregulation, an authorised person for a utility must take reasonable\nsteps to ensure that the authorised person, and anyone helping the\nauthorised person, causes as little inconvenience, detriment and\ndamage as is practicable.\n(2) If an authorised person for a utility, or anyone helping an authorised\nperson, damages anything in the exercise, or purported exercise, of a\nfunction under this regulation, the authorised person must give\nwritten notice of the damage to the person whom the authorised\nperson believes is the owner of the thing.\n(3) The notice must—\n(a) include particulars of the damage; and\n(b) identify the authorised person for the utility, and the utility; and\n(c) include details for contacting the utility about the damage.\n(4) It is sufficient if the notice is addressed to ‘the occupier’ of the\npremises where the damage happened.\n(5) The notice may also be given—\n(a) by leaving it in the letterbox at the premises where the damage\nhappened; or\n\nWater conservation measures) Part 6\nSection 27\nR3\n08/07/23\nUtilities (Water Conservation) Regulation 2006\nEffective: 08/07/23\npage 17\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(b) by securing it in a conspicuous place at those premises.\nNote For other ways in which the direction may be given, see the Legislation\nAct, pt 19.5.\n\nDictionary\npage 18 Utilities (Water Conservation) Regulation 2006\nEffective: 08/07/23\nR3\n08/07/23\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nDictionary\n(see s 3)\nNote 1 The Legislation Act contains definitions and other provisions relevant to\nthis regulation.\nNote 2 In particular, the Legislation Act, dict, pt 1, defines the following terms:\n• contravene\n• director-general (see s 163)\n• Minister (see s 162).\nNote 3 Terms used in this regulation have the same meaning that they have in\nthe Utilities Act 2000 (see Legislation Act, s 148.) For example, the\nfollowing terms are defined in the Utilities Act 2000, dict:\n• authorised person\n• premises.\napproved temporary water restriction scheme means a scheme\napproved under section 9.\napproved water conservation measures—see section 5.\nat premises includes in and on the premises.\ntemporary water restriction means a water restriction imposed under\nsection 12.\nutility means a water supplier.\nwaste, for part 5 (Preventing waste of water)—see section 21.\n\nEndnotes\nAbout the endnotes 1\nR3\n08/07/23\nUtilities (Water Conservation) Regulation 2006\nEffective: 08/07/23\npage 19\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nEndnotes\n1 About the endnotes\nAmending and modifying laws are annotated in the legislation history and the\namendment history. Current modifications are not included in the republished law\nbut are set out in the endnotes.\nNot all editorial amendments made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 are\nannotated in the amendment history. Full details of any amendments can be\nobtained from the Parliamentary Counsel’s Office.\nUncommenced amending laws are not included in the republished law. The details\nof these laws are underlined in the legislation history. Uncommenced expiries are\nunderlined in the legislation history and amendment history.\nIf all the provisions of the law have been renumbered, a table of renumbered\nprovisions gives details of previous and current numbering.\nThe endnotes also include a table of earlier republications.\n2 Abbreviation key\nA = Act NI = Notifiable instrument\nAF = Approved form o = order\nam = amended om = omitted/repealed\namdt = amendment ord = ordinance\nAR = Assembly resolution orig = original\nch = chapter par = paragraph/subparagraph\nCN = Commencement notice pres = present\ndef = definition prev = previous\nDI = Disallowable instrument (prev...) = previously\ndict = dictionary pt = part\ndisallowed = disallowed by the Legislative r = rule/subrule\nAssembly reloc = relocated\ndiv = division renum = renumbered\nexp = expires/expired R[X] = Republication No\nGaz = gazette RI = reissue\nhdg = heading s = section/subsection\nIA = Interpretation Act 1967 sch = schedule\nins = inserted/added sdiv = subdivision\nLA = Legislation Act 2001 SL = Subordinate law\nLR = legislation register sub = substituted\nLRA = Legislation (Republication) Act 1996 underlining = whole or part not commenced\nmod = modified/modification or to be expired\n\nEndnotes\n3 Legislation history\npage 20 Utilities (Water Conservation) Regulation 2006\nEffective: 08/07/23\nR3\n08/07/23\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n3 Legislation history\nUtilities (Water Conservation) Regulation 2006 SL2006-9\nnotified LR 30 March 2006\ns 1, s 2 commenced 30 March 2006 (LA s 75 (1))\nremainder commenced 31 March 2006 (s 2 and CN2006-4)\nas amended by\nRed Tape Reduction Legislation Amendment Act 2015 A2015-33\nsch 1 pt 1.71\nnotified LR 30 September 2015\ns 1, s 2 commenced 30 September 2015 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 1 pt 1.71 commenced 14 October 2015 (s 2)\nWater Resources Amendment Act 2023 A2023-26 sch 1 pt 1.3\nnotified LR 7 July 2023\ns 1, s 2 commenced 7 July 2023 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 1 pt 1.3 commenced 8 July 2023 (s 2)\n\nEndnotes\nAmendment history 4\nR3\n08/07/23\nUtilities (Water Conservation) Regulation 2006\nEffective: 08/07/23\npage 21\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n4 Amendment history\nCommencement\ns 2 om LA s 89 (4)\nWater conservation measures—approval\ns 5 am A2023-26 amdt 1.4\nAdditional notice of water conservation measures\ns 6 am A2015-33 amdt 1.248\nTemporary water restriction scheme—approval\ns 9 am A2023-26 amdt 1.4\nImposition of temporary water restrictions\ns 12 am A2023-26 amdt 1.4\nAdditional public notice of temporary water restrictions\ns 13 sub A2015-33 amdt 1.249\nLegislation repealed\ns 28 om LA s 89 (3)\nDictionary\ndict am A2015-33 amdt 1.250; A2023-26 amdt 1.5\n5 Earlier republications\nSome earlier republications were not numbered. The number in column 1 refers to\nthe publication order.\nSince 12 September 2001 every authorised republication has been published in\nelectronic pdf format on the ACT legislation register. A selection of authorised\nrepublications have also been published in printed format. These republications are\nmarked with an asterisk (*) in column 1. Electronic and printed versions of an\nauthorised republication are identical.\nRepublication\nNo and date\nEffective Last\namendment\nmade by\nRepublication\nfor\nR1\n31 Mar 2006\n31 Mar 2006–\n13 Oct 2015\nnot amended new regulation\nR2\n14 Oct 2015\n14 Oct 2015–\n7 July 2023\nA2015-33 amendments by\nA2015-33\n\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n© Australian Capital Territory 2023","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The regulation appears to maintain its original scope. The 2023 amendments updated consultation requirements to reference the Water Resources Act 2007 (reflecting administrative restructuring), but did not expand the substantive powers. The 2015 amendments streamlined public notice requirements. The core framework established in 2006 - conservation measures, temporary restrictions, and waste prevention - remains unchanged."},"complexity_factors":["Short regulation with only 27 sections across 6 Parts","Minimal defined terms (only 5 substantive definitions in the Dictionary, plus signpost definitions)","Limited cross-referencing - primarily internal references to other sections within the same regulation","Straightforward conditional logic with clear 'if-then' structures (e.g., 'if satisfied that... the Minister may approve')","No nested exceptions or complex hierarchies of conditions","Simple penalty structure (uniform 10 penalty units for offences)","Clear separation of powers between Minister (approval), utility (implementation), and authorised persons (enforcement)","Some external references to parent Act (Utilities Act 2000) and Legislation Act 2001, but these are standard machinery provisions"],"plain_english_summary":"This regulation gives the ACT Government and water utilities powers to set and enforce permanent conservation rules, impose staged emergency water restrictions during shortages, and authorise officers to enter non‑residential parts of properties to fix leaks or stop waste. It affects ACT water users, property owners/occupiers and utilities, and matters because it enables legally backed restrictions, compliance measures and penalties (up to 10 penalty units) to protect supply in droughts or crises."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[{"type":"impossible_compliance","section":"Section 25(1)-(2), read with sections 22 and 23","severity":"high","reasoning":"Directions are given under section 22. Section 23 instead creates an offence for contravening a section 22 direction. Consequently, the triggers in sections 25(1) and 25(2)(b), each requiring a “direction under section 23”, cannot arise from the supplied text.","confidence":0.99,"description":"Section 25 depends on a direction under section 23, but section 23 creates no direction.","source_quotes":["The authorised person may give the occupier of the premises a written direction to take action stated in the direction to end the waste of water.","an authorised person for a utility gives the person a direction under section 22;","a person is contravening a direction under section 23 (Contravening directions to end waste of water)."]}],"contradictions":[]},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Subsequent amendments (noted in the amendment history) altered approval and imposition procedures, notice requirements and dictionary terms. In particular, amendments in 2015 and 2023 revised public‑notice and approval-related provisions and updated related definitions and references, affecting how schemes are approved, communicated and enforced."},"complexity_factors":["Delegated approvals: Minister approves utility‑developed measures and schemes (ss 5, 9) creating layered delegation and disallowable instrument oversight.","Instrument types and publicity: mix of disallowable and notifiable instruments plus detailed public‑inspection and notice requirements (ss 5(2), 12(5), 6, 11, 13).","Enforcement powers: written directions, entry to non‑residential parts, ability to adjust taps/equipment or stop supply (ss 16–19, 22–25).","Strict liability offences: contraventions and failure to comply attract strict liability and monetary penalties (ss 7, 14, 17, 23).","Exemption and consultation rules: utilities may grant exemptions for serious detriment; consultation required with the director‑general (ss 5(3), 9(1)(d), 10(2)).","Operational discretion and triggers: staged restrictions tied to multiple metrics (stored water, consumption, reduction targets) require technical triggers and administrative judgments (s 10).","Limits on entry and privacy: entry powers exclude residential parts but allow force and assistance for non‑residential areas (ss 18(2), 24(2)).","Overlap rules: temporary restrictions override approved conservation measures where inconsistent (s 8), creating priority and timing complexity."],"plain_english_summary":"This regulation gives the Minister power to approve water‑conservation measures and staged temporary water‑restriction schemes developed by water utilities, requires those documents to be publicly available, and authorises utility officers to direct occupiers, enter non‑residential parts of premises, and adjust or stop water supplies to enforce compliance. It creates strict‑liability offences (max 10 penalty units) and allows exemptions where compliance would cause serious detriment. It therefore affects utilities (who design and enforce measures), occupiers/consumers (who bear compliance costs and penalties) and authorised officers (who decide enforcement)."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/utilities-water-conservation-regulation-2006","history":"/api/acts/utilities-water-conservation-regulation-2006/history","analysis":"/api/acts/utilities-water-conservation-regulation-2006/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/utilities-water-conservation-regulation-2006/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/utilities-water-conservation-regulation-2006/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/utilities-water-conservation-regulation-2006/documents"}}