Water restrictions 

All towns in the Western Water service area on Stage 1 Water Restrictions.

Water Restrictions apply only to the use of drinking water supplied by Western Water. They do not apply to the use of spring or bore water, recycled water, grey water, or rainwater collected in a storage tank that is not supplemented by Western Water supply.

•  Fact sheet: Stage 1 Water Restrictions (762 Kb)

• Manual watering (with a bucket, watering can or hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle) is permitted at any time on any day.
• Watering systems (automatically and manually operated) may be used between 6:00am and 10:00am and between 6:00pm and 10:00pm using the odds and evens system.

What is the odds and evens system?

• If your property has an even street number, you can water on even numbered dates (2nd, 4th, 6th etc)
• If your property has an odd street number, you can water on odd numbered dates (1st, 3rd, 5th etc)
• On the 31st, all properties may use watering systems.

Installing new grass? Consider a warm season grass variety such as Couch, Buffalo or Kikuyu. Both residential and business customers are able to apply for a 28-day exemption through the Warm Season Grass website.

• Washing with a high pressure cleaning device, a hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle or a bucket or watering can is permitted at any time

• Existing pools and spas may be topped up using a hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, an automatic top up device or a watering can or bucket at any time.
• Pools and spas with a capacity up to 2000 litres may be filled using a hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, an automatic top up device or a watering can or bucket at any time.
• Pools and spas with a capacity over 2000 litres may be filled only with a Water Use Plan approved by Western Water.

 Swimming Pool Water Use Plan and Exemption Application (134 Kb)

• Ponds and lakes with a capacity up to 2000 litres may be filled or topped up using a hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, an automatic top up device or a watering can or bucket at any time.
• Ponds and lakes with a capacity over 2000 litres may be filled or topped up only with a Water Use Plan approved by Western Water

 Water Restrictions Exemption Request Form (131 Kb)

• May only operate if the water is recirculated

A high pressure cleaning device, bucket, watering can or hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle may be used only:

• in response to an accident, fire, health hazard, safety hazard or other emergency
• in the course of construction or renovation

Windows may be washed only using a bucket or watering can.

• Cannot be used if a connection to a hose is required. 

In accordance with the Water Act 1989, penalties may apply to breaches of Water Restrictions.

•  Fact Sheet: Offences and Penalties (190 Kb)
  
  

You may apply for an exemption if you believe you will be adversely affected by Water Restrictions.

•  Water Restrictions Exemption Request Form (131 Kb)
•  Garden of Significance Water Conservation Plan Application (92 Kb)
•  Sportsground Water Conservation Plan Application (124 Kb)
•  Tennis Clubs Water Conservation Plan Application (95 Kb)
•  Exempt Playing Surface Water Conservation Plan Application (140 Kb)
•  Commercial Car Wash Water Conservation Plan Application (109 Kb)

Detailed Information
•  Permanent Water Saving Plan for Western Water (190 Kb)
•  Permanent Water Saving Rules Fact Sheet (478 Kb) (Permanent Water Saving Rules are rules that apply at all times, but are superceded when water restrictions are in force). 
•  Western Water's Water Restriction By-Law (297 Kb)
•  Western Water's Drought Response Plan (352 Kb)

For more information, or to report a breach of restrictions confidentially, call 1300 650 422.