In the past year, Icon Water has received 65 reports of potential breaches of permanent water conservation measures compared with a total of eight in 2018.
In the three months to December 20, there were 52 reports of potential breaches.
The permanent water conservation measures have been in place in Canberra and Queanbeyan since 2010 and are mandatory and enforceable.
Fines for breaches start at $200 for an individual and $1000 for a corporation.
Despite the spike in reported potential breaches, Icon Water has not issued any fines for breaches over the past three years.
An Icon Water spokeswoman said they're conscious that people who are breaching the rules might not be aware the permanent measures are in place.
"We know that most Canberrans want to do the right thing and are aware that water is a precious resource, but over time may have forgotten the specific permanent water conservation measures or be new to the region," the spokeswoman said.
"Icon Water's approach to breaches is to reach out to the resident to ensure they are aware of the measures and why they are needed.
"We have found that working with the community as a partner has produced the desired results and Icon Water has not needed to issue any fines for breaches of the permanent water conservation measures over the last three years."
The "Care for Water" campaign, which Icon Water launched recently in partnership with the ACT government, is designed to remind Canberrans about the specifics of the permanent measures in place.
"Since the awareness campaign began we have seen an increase in reporting of potential permanent water conservation measure breaches," the Icon Water spokeswoman said.
Under the conservation measures, exemptions can be granted on a case by case basis. In the past 12 months, 73 exemptions have been granted, all but one of those was the filling of residential pools.
"In granting a pool exemption, residents are required to have a number of other water saving measures in place that could include mulch on all garden beds, a rainwater tank, a water efficient pool filter, dual flush toilets or water efficient appliances," the spokeswoman said.
One exemption was granted for a not-for-profit organisation to use a small dripper system on a garden, outside of the hours permitted by the permanent water conservation measure rules.
Of the 65 potential breaches reported to Icon Water in the past 12 months, the majority are about watering gardens.
"We are reminding the community that sprinklers and other irrigation systems, including drip irrigation, may only be used to water laws and plants after 6pm and before 9am on any day."
The spokeswoman said they were encouraging Canberrans to be creative in the way they used water, for example using greywater from their washing machine no the garden, or collecting used water from their shower for plants.
The permanent water conservation measures require residents not to use sprinklers and other irrigation systems between 9am and 6pm each day and not to cause runoff from watering at any time.
Vehicles should only be washed either through a commercial operator, or if at home on a lawn or porous surface using a bucket, or a high-pressure low-volume cleaner, or a hand-held hose with a trigger nozzle.
Paved areas should only be cleaned using a bucket and mop or high-pressure low-volume cleaner. Gutters can be cleaned at any time by any means. Windows can be washed at any time with a bucket and mop or brush, squeegee or high-pressure low-volume cleaner.
In other circumstances for both paved areas and the outside of buildings including windows, water shouldn't be used to clean unless cleaning is necessary due to accident, fire, health hazard or other emergency.
Backyard ponds and fountains can be filled or topped up with a bucket, watering can or handheld nose with trigger nozzle. There are no restrictions on fountains that recirculated water from a pond or reservoir, but other fountains may not be operated.
Households with a pool or spa need an exemption to empty, fill and refill existing pools.
For the full list of exemptions, visit the Icon Water website.
