Water restrictions

Save Water. Target 155

In December 2008 the Victorian State Government commenced the 'Save Water. Target 155' campaign across metropolitan Melbourne.

155 litres per person per day

With continued low water levels in Melbourne's dams, the aim of the Target 155 campaign is to reduce water use to 155 litres per person per day. This level of consumption will achieve around the same amount of total water use as Stage 4 water restrictions but allow individuals the flexibility to determine how water is used around the home.

It is important to remember that Stage 3a water restrictions are still in place even with the introduction of the Target 155 campaign.

What are Stage 3A restrictions?

Water restrictions affect how much water you can use in your home, garden, and business. You must follow these restrictions, as fines will be issued if you are caught breaking them.

How and when to water the garden

If your house or unit number is even, for example, 4 or 28, you can water the garden on Saturday and Tuesday only, between the times set out below.
If your house or unit number is odd, for example, 5 or 33, you can water the garden on Sunday or Wednesday only, between the times set out below.
If your property does not have a number, you can water the garden on Saturday or Tuesday only, between the times set out below

On the days above, you can water from 12 am midnight – 2 am with an automatic dripper system or you can water from 6 am – 8 am with:

a hose with a trigger nozzle
a watering can
a bucket, or
a manual dripper system.

Older people and water restrictions

Households with at least one resident aged 70 years or over may water their garden manually on specified watering days between 6 am – 8 am or 8 am – 10 am.

How and when to wash a car, bike or boat

Use a bucket to clean corrosive substances and to clean windows.
Wash your car at a commercial car wash that uses 70 litres of water or less per car.

Pools and spas

A new pool or spa cannot be filled with drinking water. However, a swimming pool or spa may be filled with an alternative water source such as groundwater. Yarra Valley Water: Pools and Spas explains how to fill up your pool or spa during water restrictions.

Penalties for breaking water restrictions

Stage 3A water restrictions must be followed and water patrols are out in force across Melbourne. If you are issued with a warning notice and still breach the restrictions, you may have your water supply restricted and face fines.