Stage 3a Water Restrictions
Stage 3a Restrictions Effective from 1 April 2007
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 - Stage 3a - to save water while minimising the impact on businesses and maintaining community sport.
Under the new restriction 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.
Summary of Stage 3a Water Restrictions
| Residential Gardens | |
| Watering Days | Even numbered properties can water on Saturday and Tuesday. |
| Odd numbered properties can water on Sunday and Wednesday. | |
| Watering is not permitted on Monday, Thursday and Friday. | |
| Where there is no number, the property is considered an even numbered address. | |
| Garden Manual Watering |
Manual dripper systems, a hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, watering cans and buckets can be used to water gardens as required on specified watering days between 6am – 8am (see "Watering Days"). Households with at least one resident aged 70 years or over may water their gardens manually on specified watering days between 6am – 8am or 8am – 10am (see "Watering Days"). |
| Garden Automatic Watering |
Automatic dripper systems can be used to water gardens as required on specified |
| Vehicle Washing | |
|
A bucket, filled directly from a tap can be used to clean windows, mirrors and lights; and spot-remove corrosive substances. An efficient commercial car wash that uses 70 litres of water or less per vehicle can be used. | |
| Pools and Spas | |
|
A new pool or spa of any size capacity cannot be filled with drinking water. However, a new or existing swimming pool or spa may be filled with an alternative water source such as groundwater. | |
More Information
- Offences and Penalties Fact Sheet (PDF, 26 kB)
- Download: Stage 3a Restrictions Fact Sheet (updated June 2007) (PDF, 135 kB)
- Download: Solutions - Great Ways to Save Water! (PDF, 80 kB)
- Download: Water Use Infringement Report (PDF, 83 kB)
- Download: Fact Sheet Stage 1-4 Restrictions (PDF, 38 kB)
- Link: Water restrictions information for business customers, councils & schools
- Link: City West Water drought response plan
- Link: Our Water Our Future Website
Additional Information
What is a dripper system?
A dripper system drips water on, or near to the root zone of plants. The system must use a fixed rate of flow which does not exceed nine litres per hour for every linear meter of watering system. You can contact you local water business about retrofitting a dripper system.
Business and Commercial Customers
Under Stage 3a water restrictions business and commercial customers are required to comply with the same watering times and vehicle washing restrictions as residents. This excludes car yards, car detailers and commercial car washes. For further information, contact City West Water on 131 691.
Greywater, Rainwater and Recycled Water
Greywater and recycled water can be used at any time. For guidelines on safe use, visit: www.epa.vic.gov.au. No restrictions apply to rainwater collected in a storage tank,
provided it is not supplemented by the mains water supply.
Penalties and Enforcement
Stage 3a water restrictions must be followed and water patrols are out in force across Melbourne. If you are issued with a warning notice and still breach the restrictions, you may have your water supply restricted and face prosecution.
To report a breach, call 13WATER (139 2837).
