Simplified Stage 1 Water Restrictions are now in place...

Melburnians are to be congratulated for their outgoing water saving efforts

Melbourne households, businesses and industry have collectively reduced water use by 40 per cent over the last decade. Good rainfall in the past two years means storages have also staged a remarkable turnaround. Our move to new, simplified Stage 1 water restrictions would not be possible without both these shifts, and while lawn watering is now permitted; we all need to continue to use water wisely as part of living a more sustainable lifestyle. The following key water restrictions now apply to all Melbourne households and business:

Residential and commercial gardens and lawns

Lawns May Now be Watered At The Same Time As Gardens

Hand Watering

You can water residential or commercial gardens and lawns at any time, on any day using a hand held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle.

Watering Systems

You can water gardens and lawns using a watering system (manual, automatic, spray or dripper) only on alternate days between 6am – 10am and 6pm - 10pm.

Alternate days means people may use their watering systems on odd and evvens, date-based approach:

Even and no-numbered properties may water on even dates e.g. 2nd, 4th, 6th, etc
Odd numbered properties may water on odd dates e.g. 1st, 3rd, 5th, etc
All properties may water on the 31st

Public gardens, lawns and playing surfaces

Hand Watering

You can water public gardens, lawns and playing surfaces at any time, on any day using a hand held hose fitted with trigger nozzle.

Fountains and water features

You can fill and operate your fountain or water feature as long as it recirculates the water.

Hosing down of hard surfaces

You cannot hose down hard surfaces including windows, building facades, driveways, paths, concrete, tiles, timber decking and other paved areas except where cleaning is required as a result of an accident, fire, health hazard, safety hazard or other emergency. You can use a high pressure cleaning unit, or if

such a unit is not available, a hand held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, or a bucket in the course of construction or renovation.

Vehicle washing

You can wash your car, boat or other vehicle at home using a high pressure cleaning unit, a hand held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle or a bucket or watering can, at any time, any day of the week.

Pools, spas and water toys

Hand Watering

A new pool or spa of up to 2,000 litres can be filled by means of a hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, bucket or watering can or an automatic water top up device. However, a new or existing pool or spa of greater than 2,000 litres can only be filled in accordance with a Water Use Plan.
Contact your water utility for more information.

Topping Up

An existing pool or spa of any size can be topped up using an automatic top up device or a hand held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, bucket or watering can.

A mobile spa can only be filled or topped up in accordance with a Water Use Plan.

Water Toys

A water toy connected to a hose cannot be used at any time.

Exemptions

Melbourne’s three retail water utilities have the ability to grant exemptions to water restrictions in special circumstances. For information regarding the circumstances under which an exemption may be granted, please refer to the Drought Response Plan which is available from your water utility.

An application for an exemption can be made by contacting your water utility.

New warm season grass lawns

You may obtain an exemption to use watering systems to water new warm season grass lawns as required to suit weather conditions for up to the first 28 days after installation.

Visit www.warmseasongrass.com.au for more information and to apply.

Penalties

Stage 1 water restrictions must be followed and penalties apply for non-compliance. For further information on penalties and enforcement, please contact your water utility.

Further information

Visit your water utility’s website for more information on Stage 1 water restrictions.

Water Restrictions Relaxed. Stage 2

Stage 2 Water Restrictions now in Force.

Irrigation
Watering Gardens by an Irrigation System of any type (Spray or Drip) is permitted on Odd Days for odd numbered houses and Even Days for even numbered properties.
Watering Times: Automatic Systems between Midnight - 4am Manual Systems between 6am - 8am and 8pm - 10pm
Watering Lawns is only permitted with Rain Water, Grey Water, or a private water supply such as a dam or bore.
A 28 Day Watering Exemption for New Warm Season Grasses is available.

Go to links for Fact Sheets.

http://www.ourwater.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/76539/Stage-2-fact-sheet.pdf

http://www.warmseasongrass.com.au/

Smart Water Shop Blog

Simplified Stage 1 Water Restrictions are now in place...