Stage 3a Water Restrictions - Questions and Answers
General questions and answers are available below.
For more specific information visit : Storage trigger levels, Gardening rules, Dripper systems, Watering days for gardens, Vehicle washing, Sports grounds/clubs, Pools and spas, Industry and small businesses, Penalties and exemptions, other stage 3A questions, stage 4 restrictions and further information.
What stage of water restrictions are we in?
We are in Stage 3a water restrictions. Stage 3a water restrictions were introduced on 1 April 2007.
How long will we be in Stage 3a water restrictions?
The Minister for Water, Tim Holding, has announced we will be in Stage 3a until at least 30 November 2008.
Why are we continuing with Stage 3a water restrictions?
By staying in Stage 3a water restrictions, we will continue to save water and minimise the impact on industries affected by water restrictions. This will protect jobs and allow community activities such as sport to continue.
Why didn't we go straight to Stage 4?
By remaining in Stage 3a water restrictions rather than Stage 4, we are minimising the impact on industries affected by water restrictions, protecting jobs and allowing community activities such as sport to continue.
We have also achieved significant savings in Stage 3a - reducing water consumption by 16% in 2007 compared to 2006 and exceeding water savings anticipated under Melbourne's Drought Response Plan. The estimated annual savings in the Drought Response Plan for Stages 3a and 4 are 15% and 17.5% respectively.
Melbourne's per capita water use is 34% lower than in the mid 1990s.
What are the rules under Stage 3a water restrictions?
Under Stage 3a water restrictions, plants can only be watered in the morning on your specified watering days as required. There is no evening watering.
I am following water restrictions and my bill has gone up. How can this be?
You may have a leak or be using more water inside the home.
Do restrictions apply to alternative water supplies?
No, water restrictions only apply to drinking water. Alternative water supplies such as rainwater and greywater can be used at anytime.
What solutions are there for water restrictions?
Solutions for water restrictions include:
- Using a bucket to collect 'warm up' water in the shower or scooping out bath or basin water
- Installing a water tank for both indoor and outdoor use
- Greywater diversion - connect a greywater diverter to your outdoor piping and collect the water in a large container
- Permanent Greywater Systems - Install a permanent system for an alternative source of water for your garden. These systems must be installed by a plumber and require approval from your council
- Remember greywater must be used within 24 hours of collection unless it has been treated. For further information contact the Environment Protection Authority or phone 9695 2722.
Note: Rebates are available for water saving products. Visit Our Water Our Future and click on 'Water Smart Rebates' for more advice and information on rebates.
I'm installing a water tank and want to apply for a rebate, but heard the State Government will use this information to eventually tax me for the use of this water. Is this true?
This myth has reached almost epic proportions. No, we are not using the rebate process to collect information on customers with water tanks so that we can tax them in future. We are also speaking with the Plumbing Industry Commission (PIC) to help educate plumbers in Melbourne that this is not true and ask for their help in dispelling this myth.
Will water utilities be increasing water rates for those customers who apply for rebates on water saving products (e.g., mulch, rainwater tanks)?
No. The water utilities actively encourage customers to conserve water and will not penalise those doing so by imposing higher prices.
The prices charged by the utilities are regulated by the Essential Services Commission. The Commission ensures the cost of providing services is both practical and efficient.
Residential customers are currently charged water usage on a three step inclining block tariff. As the volume used by a customer increases, the price per kilolitre increases. Thus a customer who installs water saving devices benefits financially in three ways:
- Saves water and thus pays for fewer kilolitres
- Possibly avoids moving to a higher step on the inclining block tariff and thus pays less per kilolitre
- Receives a rebate for the water saving devices.
How much water does using rainwater tanks actually save?
Over 25,000 Victorian homes have installed a rainwater tank and received a water-saving rebate under a Brumby Government program. (May 2008). The water savings from these water tanks is around 600 million litres of drinking water per year. The Water Smart Gardens and Homes Rebate Scheme - of which rain water tanks are a part - is helping Victorians save around 1.8 billion litres of drinking water inside and outside the home in Victoria.
If we are in Stage 3a, what's the next level?
Stage 4 is the next level, which bans all outdoor water use and prohibits the washing of cars.
Why is it that only gardens have been targeted?
Outdoor water use has been focused on gardens because this type of water use can be modified and monitored with relative ease. Additionally there are a number of ways to save water inside the home for use outside which can help minimise the impact on the garden. Rainwater tanks can also be installed.
How much water are we saving by cutting down gardening watering times?
We have also achieved significant savings in Stage 3a - reducing water consumption by 16% in 2007 compared to 2006 and exceeding water savings anticipated under Melbourne's Drought Response Plan. The estimated annual savings in the Drought Response Plan for Stages 3a and 4 are 15% and 17.5% respectively.
If we're running out of water, why would you permit residents to water their gardens?
We acknowledge the recreational and aesthetic benefits to people in our community, and have allowed residents to use limited amounts of water on their gardens.
Is this new level of water restrictions designed to appease the carwash and nursery industry?
The revision to create Stage 3a has been made by taking into account all industries and communities affected by water restrictions.