Frequently asked questions

Under Stage 3a water restrictions, plants can only be watered in the morning on your specified watering days as required. There is no evening watering.

How long will we be in Stage 3a water restrictions?

The Minister for Water, Timothy Holding, has announced we will be in Stage 3a until at least 30 November 2008.

Why aren't we going straight to Stage 4?

By remaining in Stage 3a water restrictions rather than Stage 4, we are minimising the impact on industries affected by water restrictions, protecting jobs and allowing community activities such as sport to continue.

We have also achieved significant savings in Stage 3a - reducing water consumption by 16 per cent in 2007 compared to 2006 and exceeding water savings anticipated under Melbourne's Drought Response Plan. The estimated annual savings in the Drought Response Plan for Stages 3 and 4 are 15 per cent and 17.5 per cent respectively.

Melbourne's per capita water use is 34 per cent lower than in the mid 1990s.

Garden watering rules

Under Stage 3a water restrictions, can I water my lawn?

No. There is a complete ban on watering lawns for residents and businesses and excemptions are no longer available for new turf and/or establishing gardens. However, alternate sources (e.g. rainwater tank or grey water) can be used at any time.

Under Stage 3a water restrictions, can I water my garden?

Yes. You may use a manual dripper system that you turn on or off by hand, hand-held hoses fitted with trigger nozzles, watering cans and buckets between 6am-8am to water your plants as required two days per week on your designated watering days.

Automatic dripper systems that turn themselves on and off can only be used between midnight and 2am to water on your designated days per week.
Even and no-numbered houses can water plants on Saturday and Tuesday within specified times.
Odd numbered houses can water plants on Sunday and Wednesday within specified times.
Watering is not permitted on Monday, Thursday and Friday.

Remember, most gardens do not need two full hours of watering. Please water according to your plants needs.

Dripper Systems

Where can I purchase a dripper system?

By contacting your local irrigation specialist which you can find by visiting www.irrigation.org.au or by accessing your yellow pages (under irrigation). You can also visit your local garden centre.

Vehicle Washing

Under Stage 3a water restrictions, can I wash my car?

A bucket, filled directly from a tap can be used to clean windows, mirrors and lights; and spot-remove corrosive substances. Cars may not be washed at home with drinking water.

An efficient commercial car wash that uses 70 litres of water or less per vehicle can be used. Look for signage that is to be displayed and informs you how many litres of water are being used for each car washed.

Pools and Spas

Under Stage 3a water restrictions can I fill my pool?

A new pool or spa of any size capacity cannot be filled. However a swimming pool or spa may be filled with alternative sources of water.

An existing pool or spa of less than 2,000 litres may be filled with a bucket filled directly from a tap (and not by means of a hose).

An existing pool or spa of greater than 2,000 litres must not be filled except in accordance with a water conservation plan (contact your local water business for more information).

An existing pool or spa must not be topped up except by means of a watering can or bucket, filled directly from a tap (not by means of a hose).

Sportsgrounds

What are sportsgrounds doing to save water?

Each local council rationalises their sportsgrounds. This means that one in four are selected to be watered. Water used on the sportsground needs to be reduced by 25 per cent, in accordance with a water conservation plan, that has been submitted by each council to their water retailer. Many councils are now utilising recycled water, installing rainwater tanks and water efficient appliances.

Why are one in four sportsgrounds still permitted to water?

It is important that we keep our community sport going while still cutting back the amount of water that we are using.

Industry

What is industry doing to save water?

Water restrictions have always applied equally to industry, however additional measures are being introduced by the State Government and the water industry. These measures are designed to minimise impact on the economy whilst still making significant water savings.

Businesses using 10 megalitres of water or more a year must now complete a water conservation action plan (waterMAP program). There are more than 1,845 business customers in Victoria that fit into this group.

The top 200 non-residential water consumers in Melbourne have already developed water management plans under the Victorian Government's Pathways to Sustainability program. Over six billion litres of water have been saved since 2001 through this program, representing a 13 per cent efficiency gain. Water utilities will continue to work with the biggest industrial commercial and institutional water users.

Solutions

What solutions are there for water restrictions?

Solutions for water restrictions include:

Using a bucket to collect 'warm up' water in the shower or scooping out bath or basin water
Installing a water tank for both indoor and outdoor use
Greywater diversion - connect a greywater diverter to your outdoor piping and collect the water in a large container
Permanent Greywater Systems - Install a permanent system for an alternative source of water for your garden. These systems must be installed by a plumber and require approval from your council. Remember greywater must be used within 24 hours of collection unless it has been treated. For further information contact the Environment Protection Authority www.epa.vic.gov.au/water or phone 9695 2722.

Note: Rebates are available for water saving products. Please click here for rebate information or visit www.ourwater.vic.gov.au and click on 'Water Smart Rebates' for more advice and information.

Water Patrols

Do you have people to enforce water restrictions?

Water patrols have been introduced to ensure that water utilities have a stronger presence in the community throughout the duration of water restrictions. There are over 140 officers and 90 cars patrolling the streets 24 hours a day.

Water patrol officers are employees of City West Water, South East Water and Yarra Valley Water and are also burst and leaks maintenance employees and meter readers.

Water Patrols look out for customers who are not complying with water restrictions, visit houses where people are asking for advice and provide assistance on restrictions as well as follow-up suspected breaches.

13WATER

How do I get more information on water restrictions or report a breach?

13WATER (13 92837) is a phone number customers can call if they would like information on water restrictions, report a breach on water restrictions or report a water or sewage emergency or fault. The call is then diverted to the appropriate water retailer.

Please click here to view more frequently asked questions and answers.

hand-held garden hose with trigger nozzle