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Water Restrictions Information

Sydney / New South Wales

The NSW Government has announced that in the future there will be changes to introduce long-term water saving rules.

Level 3 water restrictions now apply across Sydney, Illawarra and the Blue Mountains.

There are no changes now to the Level 3 mandatory water restrictions.

Level 3 mandatory water restrictions continue to apply until further notice to all Sydney Water customers including residents, businesses, local councils and government agencies.

Find out more about long-term water savings rules.

Level 3 Water Restrictions:

Recycled water, bore water and water used for testing fire systems, fire fighting and related activities are excluded from restrictions. A fine of $220 applies for all breaches of Level 3 restrictions by individuals.

The Water Restrictions Patrol is carrying out random audits to ensure compliance with the new exemption conditions.

Corporations now face a fine of $550 for each breach. Fines for water theft have risen to $2,200.

The following are still permitted at any time:

  • Using a bucket or watering can to wash and rinse vehicles or water lawns and gardens.
  • Topping up any existing swimming pool.
  • Filling a pool less than 10,000L capacity.
  • Using water from a rainwater tank, as long as it is not connected to or topped up from Sydney Water mains.
  • Using a hose with a trigger nozzle or high pressure cleaning device to clean boat bilges and boat trailer brakes and wheels.
  • Using a hose to flush boat engines.
  • Cleaning garbage bins using a hose fitted with a trigger nozzle or with an on/off switch. This should be done within an official bin wash area or on grass.
 

Melbourne / Victoria

STAGE 3A:

STAGE 3A WATER RESTRICTIONS TO REMAIN IN PLACE

Melbourne will remain on Stage 3a water restrictions until 30 November  2008, Water Minister Tim Holding announced today.

Under Stage 3a water restrictions:

  • A manual dripper system, hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, a watering can and a bucket can be used to water gardens as required on specified watering days between 6am - 8am.*
  • An automatic dripper system can be used to water as required on specific watering days between midnight - 2am.*
  • Cars can be washed at a commercial car wash. A bucket filled from a tap can be used to clean windows, mirrors and lights; and spot-remove corrosive substances.
  • One in four sports grounds can be watered. Councils must complete a water conservation plan and ensure water use on these sports grounds is cut back by an additional 25 per cent.
  • Even numbered properties can water on Saturday and Tuesday; odd numbered can water on Sunday and Wednesday.

People aged 70 and over can water between 8am and 10am.

More details about the Stage 3a water restrictions are available at Our Water

Stage 3A Water Restrictions:

Melbourne Water

Important:

Stage 3a is the second phase of Stage 3 water restrictions and has been introduced due to low rainfall over summer and below average stream flows.

Stage 3a helps to save water while minimising the impact on businesses and community sporting facilities.

Questions and Answers:

Fact sheet (PDF 253kb)

Ideas to Save Water:

Fact sheet (PDF 80kb)

Rainwater Tank Rebates:

Fact sheet (PDF 60kb)

Water restrictions information in ten community languages

Other Details:

In addition to the permanent water saving rules introduced across Victoria in 2005, there are four stages of water restrictions.

Restriction stages are triggered when the amount of water in our storages falls to certain levels. These trigger points vary according to the time of the year - the trigger points (PDF, 29.8 kb) are higher in summer when demand is higher.

The decision to lift or introduce water saving rules and restrictions is made by the Victorian Government based on information it receives from Melbourne Water and the retail water companies, City West Water , South East Water or Yarra Valley Water .

The status of water restrictions is reviewed monthly. Weather forecasts, water consumption, seasonal factors, and rainfall in catchments are all taken into consideration. As extremely dry conditions persist, it is important that we continue to save water and conserve our precious drinking water supplies.