The following provides a summary of key Stage 1 water restrictions in Melbourne that come into effect on 1 December 2011. Please contact your local water retailer for further information on water restrictions in place in Melbourne.

Residential and commercial gardens and lawns

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 6 am – 10 am and 6 pm – 10 pm.

Alternate days mean people may use their watering systems on an odds and evens, 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 a trigger nozzle.

Watering systems

Public gardens, lawns and playing surfaces can also use a watering system only on alternate days between 6 am -10 am and 6 pm - 10 pm or water in accordance with an approved Water Use Plan.

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 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 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.

Sporting Grounds

Councils and schools can water sportsgrounds and gardens in accordance with the times under Stage 1 restrictions or submit a Water Use Plan to efficiently water outside of the prescribed hours.

Pools, spas and water toys

Filling

A new pool or spa of up to 2,000 litres can be filled by means of a hand-held hose, 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 local 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, 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 water retailers 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 government water utility.

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

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.