Understanding the changes to water restrictions in Melbourne

23 August 2010

New water restrictions in place from 1 September...

Effective 1 September 2010, Stage 2 provides Melburnians with even more flexibility in watering their gardens. For veggie gardeners or those with extra thirsty plants, you can now use a watering can, bucket or trigger  nozzle as needed.

For those with manual watering systems - they can now be used between 6-8am and 8-10pm on your watering day.

For those with automatic watering systems - they can now be used between midnight and 4am on your watering day.

Remeber, lawns cannot be watered at any time with drinking water.

See below for how Stage 2 now gives you the choice to wash your car at home, top up pools via a trigger nozzle, fill child-sized play pools and for other important rules to remember.

Enjoying the additional flexibility of Stage 2

What's               From 1 September 2010 you may now...
changed?    

Watering times	Manual watering systems can now be used between the hours of 6-8am and 8-10 pm – on your watering day Automatic watering systems can now be used between midnight and 4am - on your watering day.
Hand watering	Water extra thirsty plants or vegetables as needed with a watering can, bucket or trigger nozzle hose.
Car washing	Wash your car at home using a bucket or high pressure cleaning device.
Pools and spas	Top-up existing pools or spas with a trigger nozzle Fill baby-sized pools or spas (500 litres or less) via a trigger nozzle Fill play pools and spas (2,000 litres or less).

What stays the same?

Your watering days	Even and no numbered houses 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. Everyone may water on the 31st.
Lawns	Lawns cannot be watered at any time with drinking water For an exemption to establish warm season grass contact your water retailer.
Alternate times for 70+	Households with someone aged 70 years or over still have the ability to water gardens at the alternate morning time of 8-10am on your watering day.
Pools and spas – 2,000 litres or more	Pools and spas of more than 2,000 litres can only be filled with drinking water when done so under a Water Conservation Plan – contact your retailer.
Car washing	You can continue to use an efficient commercial car wash You cannot use any hose to wash your car.