| Town | Permanent Water Saving Rules | Current Water Restrictions Stage |
|---|---|---|
| Alberton | Yes | None |
| Cape Paterson | Yes | None |
| Devon North | Yes | None |
| Dumbalk | Yes | None |
| Fish Creek | Yes | None |
| Foster | Yes | None |
| Inverloch | Yes | None |
| Korumburra | Yes | None |
| Leongatha | Yes | None |
| Loch | Yes | None |
| Nyora | Yes | None |
| Meeniyan | Yes | None |
| Poowong | Yes | None |
| Port Albert | Yes | None |
| Port Franklin | Yes | None |
| Port Welshpool | Yes | None |
| Welshpool | Yes | None |
| Wonthaggi | Yes | None |
| Yarram | Yes | None |
Permanent Water Saving Rules are in place across the state every day of the year. These simple, common-sense rules help us all use drinking water wisely to reduce waste and ensure we’re doing our part to safeguard it for generations to come.
While most people do the right thing, it’s important to know that breaking the rules can lead to penalties.
These rules apply only to drinking water — not greywater, rainwater, bore water, or recycled water.
Below is a summary of the rules. For full details, please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions.
Permanent Water Saving Rules:
Hoses – must always be leak free and fitted with trigger nozzles. Trigger nozzles ensure less water is wasted.
Garden watering – Home and commercial gardens can only be watered between 6pm and 10am, if using watering systems. This avoids the hottest part of the day when water wastage occurs due to evaporation. You can water gardens at any time using a hand-held hose, watering can or bucket.
Hard surfaces – Water must not be used to clean hard surfaces such as concrete, paths and driveways. Exemptions apply when cleaning is needed to address a hazard, surface staining or during construction, see FAQ for more information.
South Gippsland Water, from time to time and dependent upon water supplies, will activate Staged Water Restrictions in order to reduce consumption and demand on the drinking water supply system. There are 4 Stages of water restrictions;
Stage 1: ‘Alert’; Seek to ‘ALERT’ customers that weather conditions require water efficient practices be activated.
Stage 2: ‘Save’ Water; Seek to ensure customers ‘SAVE’ water due to dry weather conditions.
Stage 3: ‘Just Enough’; Aim to communicate that water storage levels are ‘JUST ENOUGH’ given the current climatic conditions. Customers should limit their use of water.
Stage 4: ‘Critical’ Water; Indicate that water storage levels are at ‘CRITICAL’ low levels. Restrictions limit the use of water.
Stage 1 “ALERT” Fact Sheet
PDF 87.3 KB
Stage 2 “SAVE” Fact Sheet
PDF 84.1 KB
Stage 3 “JUST ENOUGH” Fact Sheet
PDF 82.0 KB
Stage 4 “CRITICAL” Fact Sheet
PDF 82.3 KB
Permanent water-saving rules are always in place to help us use water efficiently. Water corporations sometimes use water restrictions to help manage urban water use.
A Water Use Plan controls the use of water for specific purposes or for a specific stage of restrictions. It helps you maximise your water-savings during restrictions. In special circumstances, you can request an exemption from some permanent water saving rules or a stage of water restrictions.
If these circumstances apply to you, you can apply for an exemption.
A Water Use Plan will only be approved if the water use described in the plan is permitted under the relevant stage of restrictions, and the Water Use Plan is part of a water restriction exemption application.
If you need support in another language, we provide access to an interpreter service and a TTY service for speech and hearing-impaired customers. To access these services please call the numbers below.
Translating and Interpreting Service 131 450
TTY facility 1800 555 677
To apply for a restriction exemption or Water Use Plan, please select the relevant application form:
More information relating to water restrictions and water use plans
Are the Permanent Water Saving Rules a form of water restrictions? When will they end?
As the rules do restrict water use, they can be considered a basic form of restrictions, and – like restrictions – are enforceable under law. However, unlike staged (numbered) water restrictions, the water saving rules are permanent and don’t have an end date. The permanent water saving rules are in place to help conserve our water supply into the future.
What is a high-pressure water cleaning device?
A high-pressure water cleaner is an electric or petrol-powered device that connects to a hose, forcing water out at high pressure for more effective cleaning. The rate of delivery must be 9 litres per minute or less.
What is a watering system?
A watering system is any automatic or manually operated system of sprinklers, drip hoses, weep hoses, etc. Even a simple garden sprinkler connected to a tap is considered a watering system. The most efficient and effective watering system is a sub-surface drip hose, connected to a timer to water overnight. This ensures plants get water near their roots, and minimises water loss to evaporation.
Why can I only water at night or early in the morning?
It’s more efficient and effective to water your garden when the sun goes down. Lower evaporation means water is more likely to get to plant roots.
When can water be used to clean hard surfaces?
Water can only be used to clean hard surfaces (including, driveways, paths, concrete, tiles, timber decking) when: • where cleaning is required as a result of an accident, fire, health hazard, safety hazard or other emergency; or • if staining to the surface has developed and then only once a season; or • in the course of construction or renovation, and then only by means of • a high pressure water cleaning device; • or if such a device is not available, a hand-held hose or a bucket.
Do the rules apply to bore, grey, rainwater or recycled water?
No, the Permanent Water Saving Rules apply only to drinking water supplied through our reticulation network.
Do Permanent Water Savings Rules apply during a fire emergency?
No.
Can I still wash my windows?
Yes. There are no restrictions on washing windows.
How should I wash my car?
Cars, boats and other vehicles can be washed at home at any time or any day, using • a high-pressure water cleaner; or • a hose fitted with a trigger nozzle; or • a bucket or watering can. The same rules apply to car dealerships.
Can I fill or top-up my pool or spa?
Yes. There are no restrictions on filling or topping up pools, spas or ponds under the Permanent Water Saving Rules.
What are the penalties for breaching the rules?
Breaching the Permanent Water Saving Rules can result in fines. For a first offence you can be fined over 10 penalty units and for a subsequent offence over 20 penalty units.
How do I report a breach of the rules?
Permanent water saving rules are enforced under the Water Act (1989). If you witness a breach of the rules, please contact your water corporation with details of the offence. An authorised water officer will investigate and report. Official warnings and on-the-spot fines can be issued for offences, and in severe cases, prosecution may be sought.
Are there exemptions to Permanent Water Saving Rules?
Yes, water can be used at any time for: (a) human health requirements; (b) (c) (d) stock and animal health requirements; f ire fighting; or the safety of, but not the cleaning of, vehicles or equipment. In other special circumstances you can request an exemption from some permanent water saving rules or a stage of water restrictions. Some exemptions also require a Water Use Plan. Water Use Plans help to manage the use of water for specific purposes or for a specific stage of restrictions. They assist in maximising water-savings during water restrictions.
Who can apply for an exemption?
Applications for exemptions can be made from residential customers, on behalf of a business, company, industry or commercial or industrial organisation; or on behalf of a council, public or private school, a sportsground, a public garden or a tennis club.
How are applications made?
Applications must be made via our website. We will then consider the application within a reasonable period, and will either grant the application for approval (subject to any conditions the relevant water corporation considers appropriate) or refuse the application for approval.
What is a Water Use Plan?
A Water Use Plan outlines the measures that are already being used or that are planned on being used to assist in saving water. It controls the use of water for specific purposes or for a specific stage of restrictions. It helps to maximise water-savings during restrictions. A Water Use Plan must be approved by the relevant water corporation prior to consideration of an exemption to some of the Permanent Water Saving Rules.
