Melbourne households, businesses and industry have collectively reduced water use by 40 per cent over the last decade.
Good rainfall in the past two years means storages have also staged a remarkable turnaround.
Our move to new, simplified Stage 1 water restrictions would not be possible without both these shifts, and while lawn watering is now permitted; we all need to continue to use water wisely as part of living a more sustainable lifestyle.
The following key water restrictions now apply to all Melbourne households and business:
Residential and commercial gardens and lawns
Lawns may now be watered at the same time as gardens.
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 windows, building facades, 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 hand held 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.
Alternative water
Greywater, rainwater and recycled water can be used at anytime to water gardens and lawns. For guidelines on safe use, visit www.epa.vic.gov.au.
No rules apply to rainwater collected in a storage tank, provided it is not supplemented with drinking water supply.
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 fitted with a trigger nozzle, 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 
Swimming Pool Water Use Plan & Exemption Application.
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 fitted with a trigger nozzle, 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
South East Water 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. An application for an exemption can be made directly to South East Water.
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.
Penalties
Stage 1 water restrictions must be followed and penalties apply for non-compliance.