Increased flexibility for your garden under Stage 3 water restrictions

Effective 2 April 2010, Stage 3 water restrictions will come into effect in metro Melbourne.  This will see us move to an odds-and-evens, date based approach to garden watering, allowing households to water their garden every second day.

Under Stage 3 water restrictions 

• Using a date-based approach:
• Even and no-numbered properties may water plants on even dates
  e.g. 2nd, 4th, 6th, etc.
• Odd-numbered properties may water plants on odd dates
  e.g. 1st, 3rd, 5th, etc.
• Everyone may water on the 31st
  
• Lawns may not be watered at any time with drinking water
  
• Plants can only be manually watered between the hours of 6 - 8 am on your watering days (manual watering systems, trigger nozzle fitted hoses and buckets) or via automatic dripper systems between midnight and 2 am
  
• If someone in your household is over 70, you may water at the alternate time
   of 8-10 am
  
• Rainwater and greywater can be used at any time
  
• Cars can only be washed at commercial car washes or at home using rainwater

Remember that restrictions apply to every house, apartment and business in Melbourne. Make sure you know the rules and are aware of the ways you can save water at home and in the garden.

Understanding the changes in water restrictions

Description	Stage 3a	Stage 3                       Effective 2 April 2010
Watering Hours	Gardens may only be watered manual dripper system, trigger-nozzle fitted hoses and buckets / watering cans) between the hours of 6 - 8 am. Automatic dripper systems may be used between midnight and 2 am. Households with someone over the age of 70, may water at the alternate time of 8 - 10 am. Lawns must not be watered at any time with drinking water.	No change No change No change                   No change
Watering Days	Even and no-numbered properties can water plants on Tuesdays and Saturdays only. Odd-numbered properties can water on Wednesdays and Sundays only.	Even and no-numbered properties can water on even dates e.g. 2nd, 4th, 6th, etc. Odd-numbered propeties can water plants on odd dates e.g. 1st, 3rd, 5th, etc. Everyone may water on the 31st of the month - within the specified times.
Carwashing	Cars may not be washed at home with drinking water. Cars may only be washed using a water efficient commercial or mobile carwash. You may use a bucket, filled directly from a tap to clean car windows, mirrors and lights; and to spot-remove corrosive substances.	No change
Personal Target	155 litres per person per day.	No change

To view the Stage 3 fact sheet, click here.

 About restrictions
     Understanding Stage 3

 Gardening rules
     More detail about Stage 3 and gardens

 Pools and spas
     Rules for pools, spas and topping up

 Exempt playing surfaces and tennis clubs
     What sportsgrounds and tennis clubs are doing to save water

 Vehicle washing
     Rules about vehicle washing

 Industry
     Businesses are saving water too

 Penalties and enforcement
     Stage 3 water restrictions must be followed and water patrols are out in force

 Exemptions
     Available exemptions and who can apply

 Solutions
     What you can do

 Report a breach
     Who to contact to report a breach

Drought Response Plan

All of Melbourne's retailers have prepared Drought Response Plans which incorporate the four stages of water restrictions and specify the things which must not be done while each stage of restrictions persists.

 Download Yarra Valley Water's Drought Response Plan (PDF 373KB)


 Download a detailed Stage 3 fact sheet (PDF 109KB)


  View the 2 April 2010 Public Notice in the Herald Sun




 

Permanent Water Saving Plan

When restrictions are not in place, Yarra Valley Water operates in accordance with a Permanent Water Saving Plan which sets out guidelines on the use of water in the area of Yarra Valley Water's licence. To view the current version of this plan click here (PDF 125KB).