Melbourne Water

Melbourne Water, in partnership with the Australian Government, University of Melbourne, the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, Yarra Ranges Council and South East Water, is rolling out a first-of-its-kind ‘smart water’ project in Melbourne’s outer east to help to reverse the critical decline of platypus by actively managing stormwater and flows in Monbulk Creek.

Most Melburnians don’t think twice when turning on the tap. In the coming months, many households across Melbourne will receive water that has made a remarkable journey, one that begins not in a mountain catchment but in Bass Strait.

The Victorian Government has confirmed a150 billion litre order for desalinated water for 2026–27, to replenish Melbourne’s water supplies and support homes, businesses and our growing community across Greater Melbourne and connected regions.

The Essential Services Commission today released its draft decision on Melbourne Water’s price submission for the 2026-31 regulatory period for public consultation. 

Melbourne Water has delivered practical support to Victorian farmers recovering from recent bushfires, donating more than 240 hay bales to Lions Clubs Need for Feed Australia as part of its wider bushfire response.  

A stretch of underground stormwater pipe is about to become a natural creek again in Melbourne’s east. Melbourne Water is inviting community feedback, as the Reimagining Tarralla Creek project progresses to a new stage (Stage 2), restoring a further 886 metres of creek. Consultation runs from 23 March to 26 April 2026.

Melbourne Water is pleased to announce the 2026 Victorian Government Landcare Grants are open to applications, supporting local Landcare groups and environmental volunteers to better care for nature.

Melbourne Water has completed its largest connected metering project, finalising the rollout of real-time telemetry across surface water diversion meters.

Melbourne Water is encouraging Melburnians to reduce water use as storage levels close summer at 69%, the lowest since 2020 and more than 11 percentage points below last year.

Melbourne Water is inviting community feedback on a new Recreational Area Management Plan and proposed waterway rules for Tarago Reservoir, with consultation open for four weeks from 2 March 2026. 

Melbourne Water has opened community consultation on a major upgrade at Cardinia Reservoir, running through to 26 April 2026. This is an important opportunity for the community to help shape how the upgrade is delivered.

Melbourne Water has restored water flows to Graceburn Creek after blockages at the upstream Graceburn Weir had caused low water levels in this important local waterway.

On the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, Heremaia Tikoto reflects on achieving her dream despite feeling “pushed out of scientific spaces”.

Melbourne Water recently finished key fire-prevention work ahead of the Australia Day long weekend in the Black Range to help protect the Upper Yarra Catchment, after a period of very high fire risk in the area.

Melbourne Water’s innovative learning program, The Future Water Story, has been awarded silver at the 2026 BETTER FUTURE World Design Awards, which celebrates both the courage of commissioning clients and design professionals.