Due to its links with the Northern Territory and proximity to the border, the APY Lands do not observe daylight savings unlike the rest of South Australia.

Based upon the climate records of the nearest weather station, at Giles across the border and to the northwest in Western Australia, Watarru experiences summer maximum temperatures of an average of 37.2 degrees Celsius in January and a winter maximum average temperature of 19.9 degrees Celsius in July.

Watarru has a community office for administration purposes, which also provides an Internet service and a place for co-ordinating the local arts project.

Management of the land provides employment opportunities for the Watarru community, managing and monitoring native fauna populations whilst also rounding up, shooting or culling pest species such as camels, foxes and feral cats.

Electricity is provided to the community using a combination of solar power and a wind turbine, with the energy stored in batteries.

Residents can vote in elections for the Parliament of South Australia at a booth that visits Pipalyatjara.