Water Restrictions

Stage 3a Water Restrictions Are Now In Place In Melbourne

Stage 3a is the second phase of Stage 3 water restrictions.

Last summer we received only 40 per cent of the average summer rainfall and stream flows into our major catchments were well below average.

For this reason, the decision was made to move into the second phase of Stage 3 water restrictions - 3a - to save water while minimising the impact on businesses and maintaining community sport.

Under the new restrictions gardens can only be watered in the morning twice a week.

One in four sportsgrounds can be watered and efficient commercial car washes can still be used.

There are also new water efficiency requirements for major water users.

A manual dripper system, hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, a watering can and a bucket can be used to water gardens as required on specified watering days between 6am - 8am*.

An automatic dripper systems can be used to water as required on specific watering days between midnight - 2am*.

* Even numbered properties can water on Saturday and Tuesday; odd numbered can water on Sunday and Wednesday. There is no watering on Monday, Thursday and Friday. There is no watering in the evening. If your property does not have a number, it is considered an even numbered property.

Households with at least one resident aged 70 years and over may water their gardens manually on specified watering days between 6am - 8am or 8am - 10am.

Vehicle Washing

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. A bucket filled from a tap can be used to clean windows, mirrors and lights; and spot-remove corrosive substances.


Sportsgrounds

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%, in accordance with a water conservation plan, that has been submitted by each council. It is important that we keep our community sport going while still cutting back the amount of water that we are using.

Industry

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

New compulsory water saving measures for commercial and industrial customers are planned for the near future. Water retailers will continue to work with the biggest industrial , commercial and institutional water users.


Pools and Spas

New pools or spas of any capacity cannot be filled. However a swimming pool or spa may be filled with alternative sources of water. Before filling an existing pool or spa consult your water authority.

Commercial Car Wash

Commercial car washes can only operate if they use less than 70 litres of water for every vehicle washed, and have a Water Conservation Plan that has been approved by City West Water.

Commercial Carwash - Water Conservation Plan Report [PDF 70KB]

Motor Vehicle Dealer

Hand-held hoses and high-pressure water cleaners cannot be used to clean vehicles.

A bucket can be used to clean windows, lights, mirrors and spot-remove corrosive substances, or a commercial car wash can be used.

Sportsgrounds

Generally, 1 in 4 sportsgrounds as nominated by council can be watered. Exempt playing surface may be watered: turf cricket wickets, golf tees and greens (not fairways),
tennis courts, bowling greens, hockey pitches, running tracks, croquet greens.

New Residential or Commercial Spa or Pool

A new pool or spa must not be filled.

Existing Residential or Commercial Spa or Pool
An existing pool or spa with a capacity of less than 2,000 litres can only be filled by a watering can or bucket that is filled by either a hand-held hose with a trigger nozzle or directly from the tap.

An existing pool or spa with a capacity of more than 2,000 litres must not be filled unless a Water Conservation Plan that allows this has been approved by City West Water and then can only be topped up by using a watering can or bucket that is filled by either a hand-held hose with a trigger nozzle or directly from the tap.

Municipal Pool or Spa

A new municipal pool or spa can only be filled in accordance with a Water Conservation Plan that has been approved by City West Water.

An existing municipal pool or spa can only be topped up with the written approval of City West Water.

Mobile Spa

A mobile spa must not be filled.

Pond or Lake

A new pond or lake must not be filled.

An existing pond or lake must not be filled or topped up unless the relevant pond or lake sustains aquatic fauna or bird life and then only in accordance with the written permission of City West Water.

Fountains and Water Features

Only fountains or water features which recycle the water used can be used.

Fountains and water features must not be filled or topped up.

Water Toys

Water toys which are operated by running water that is supplied through a hose must not be used at any time.

Dam or Tank

A dam or tank can only be filled or topped up with the written permission of City West Water.

A dam or tank that provides water for fire fighting, public health or stock can be filled or topped up to the extent which City West Water states is reasonably necessary to achieve these purposes.

Water Tanker

A water tanker can only be filled or topped up if City West Water has granted a permit and the tanker is supplying water to be used inside a dwelling, for fire fighting, stock watering, construction, dust suppression or other public health purposes.

Commercial Market Garden and Commercial or Council Plant Nursery

Automatic and manual watering systems can be used for up to three hours per day only if City West Water has granted a permit to do so.

A hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, watering can or bucket can be used at any time.

Food Transport Vehicles

Food transport vehicles can be cleaned using a high-pressure water cleaning device or hand-held hose with a trigger nozzle, only if the cleaning is necessary to avoid contamination of the vehicle’s contents or to ensure public safety.

Boat Motors

Inboard or outboard motors can only be flushed using a suitable container filled by a hand-held hose or a flushing device connected to a hose that is turned off immediately after the flushing is complete.

Outdoor Hard Surfaces incl. decking, paving, concrete, tiles, bitumen

Water must not be used to clean a hard surface unless it is required because of an accident, fire, health or safety hazard or other emergency and a hand-held hose with a trigger nozzle is used. For construction or renovation work, a high-pressure water cleaning device can be used.

Windows and Building Facades

Water must not be used to clean a building façade or window unless cleaning is required because of an accident, fire, health or safety hazard or other emergency and a bucket or hand-held hose with a trigger nozzle is used. For construction or renovation work, a bucket or watering can be used.

Dust Suppression

Water can only be used to suppress dust that is causing a health or environmental hazard by using a hand-held hose with a trigger nozzle, bucket or watering can, or by using a water tanker in accordance with the restrictions for water tankers.

Construction

Water can only be used for construction purposes if it is through a hand-held hose with a trigger nozzle, bucket or watering can. Water can be used by construction equipment which requires a water supply for its safe and efficient operation. Water can be used in the normal course of initial testing or flushing of pipes and other works.

Animal Husbandry

Water can be used for animals or birds to drink and to clean animals or birds.

It can also be used to clean pens, yards and cages if a hand-held hose with a trigger nozzle is used.

Commercial Poultry Farm

Water can only be used for cooling a shed on a commercial poultry farm if fogging systems are used. Sprinklers can only be used if the inside temperature of the shed reaches 30°c between the hours of 6am and 9pm.

Other purposes

Water must not be used for any other purpose without the prior written permission of City West Water.

To report a breach of these restrictions, complete the on-line form, or call us at any time on 13WATER (13 92837).

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