Stage 4 Restrictions
Stage 4 restrictions questions and answers are available below.
For more specific information visit :
- Storage trigger levels
- 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
- Further information
What are the key rules for Stage 4 water restrictions?
The key elements for Stage 4 water restrictions include:
- Lawns and gardens may not be watered at any time.
- A bucket filled from a tap can be used to clean windows, mirrors and lights; and spot remove corrosive substances. This also applies to commercial car washes.
- A new pool or spa of any capacity cannot be filled.
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.