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Residential and commercial gardens and lawns

Residential or commercial gardens and lawns cannot be watered at any time.

Public gardens, lawns and playing surfaces

Public gardens, lawns and playing surfaces cannot be watered at any time.

Fountains and water features

Fountains or water features cannot be filled or topped up at any time.

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 during construction or renovation.

Vehicle washing

You can wash the windows, mirrors, lights, registration plates and for spot removing corrosive substances from your car, boat or other vehicle at home; or at a commercial car wash, using a bucket or watering can, and only where cleaning is required for health and safety reasons, safety hazard or other emergency.

Sporting grounds

Councils and schools cannot water sporting grounds and gardens at anytime.

Pools, spas and water toys

Filling

A new or existing residential or commercial pool or spa of any capacity cannot be filled. However, new or existing public pools and spas of any capacity can be filled in accordance with a Water Use Plan.

Topping up

Existing residential or commercial pools and spas can only be topped up using a bucket or watering can or in accordance with an approved Water Use Plan. New or existing public pools and spas of any capacity can be topped up in accordance with a Water Use Plan.

A mobile spa cannot be filled or topped up at any time.

Water toys

A water toy connected to a hose cannot be used at any time.

Exemptions

Each Victorian urban water corporation can grant exemptions to water restrictions in special circumstances.

For information regarding the circumstances under which an exemption may be granted and how to apply for an exemption, please get in touch with your local water corporation.

Page last updated: 08/09/23