Drought Management
Since 1997 Melbourne has experienced its longest drought on record. It has severely reduced the amount of water flowing in our rivers and creeks and the level of water stored in our water supply reservoirs.
Melbourne’s drought response
Melbourne Water and Melbourne’s three retail water companies have developed a Drought Response Plan.
The plan co-ordinates management of the water supply system to reduce drought impacts.
Actions of the plan include water restrictions and permanent water saving rules.
Our monitoring of storage levels, stream flow into reservoirs, catchment conditions and climate outlooks forms the basis of the industry's Drought Response Plan.
The decision to lift or introduce water saving rules is made by the Victorian Government based on information it receives from Melbourne Water and Melbourne’s three retail water companies.
To view a copy of the plan, go to your local retail water company - City West Water, South East Water or Yarra Valley Water.
Prolonged and severe drought means that Melbourne must find new sources of water. See the section on Securing water supply to find out other ways we are managing the impacts of drought.
More information: