Stage 3a Water Restrictions questions and answers

Stage 3a Water Restrictions - Questions and Answers

Melbourne is currently under Stage 3a water restrictions.

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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.

Why hasn’t Melbourne entered Stage 4 restrictions?

Stage 3a water restrictions are achieving water savings almost equivalent to that expected under Stage 4. Stage 3a minimises the impact on industries affected by water restrictions, protects jobs and importantly, allows community activities such as sport to continue. It also allows householders to maintain some garden around their homes.

Why has Melbourne remained in Stage 3a water restrictions when trigger levels of other stages of restrictions have been crossed?

Stage 3a water restrictions have been achieving water savings almost equivalent to savings estimated for Stage 4. Remaining on Stage 3a restrictions has helped to avoid the impacts of Stage 4 restrictions, which effectively prohibits all outside water use, significantly impacting residential customers, businesses dependent on outdoor water use, and community sporting facilities.

While Melbourne dipped below the Stage 4 trigger point in late May 2007, this was at the start of the filling season. Given that water use during the winter months is typically low, and storages were unlikely to remain below the Stage 4 trigger for a significant period of time, Stage 3a continued. The decision to remain in Stage 3a was proven correct as storages recovered to above the Stage 3a trigger during early winter 2007.

Likewise, Melbourne storage levels have risen slightly above the Stage 3a trigger level but we have remained in Stage 3a (not moved into Stage 2) in order to provide some certainty to the community and industry while continuing to achieve water savings.

Moving frequently between stages of restrictions would cause public confusion and have only a marginal impact on water storage levels. Stage 3a restrictions will be in place.

When considering what level of restriction should be in place, a number of factors must be considered which includes storage levels, the time of year and weather forecasts.

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 have also spoken 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 achieved significant savings in Stage 3a - reducing water consumption by 16% in 2008 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 Stage 3a designed to appease the carwash and nursery industry?

The revision to create Stage 3a was made by taking into account all industries and communities affected by water restrictions.

Melbourne Water