The same restrictions will apply to NT Government departments and Katherine Town Council.

Households will be restricted to watering gardens on an odds and even system depending on the number of the house – Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 6pm for odd numbered properties and Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday for even numbered properties.

Katherine Town Council’s David Moore said most of council’s parks and gardens were primarily on bore water which was not restricted.

Heavy water users.

Bore water supplies the heavy watering areas like the sports and show grounds.

Mr Moore said five areas of heavy water use were on town water which would not be “amended” to comply with the new restrictions.

“We are looking for leaks, which is a never ending process, just as households are being asked to do and will be making concerted effort to reduce water percentages,” he said.

The Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics is also responsible for a lot of watering in Katherine, particularly in the main street.

A spokeswoman said the department will implement measures to comply with the restrictions.

“We are upgrading our systems to ensure we reduce water usage as part of Katherine town landscaping,” the spokeswoman said.

“We will continue to test the watering systems on a weekly basis to check for vandalism and damage to the lines.

“Measures will include reprogramming timers to reduce watering, watering to be done overnight and an upgrade of existing mains to reduce water loss.”