Permanent water saving rules

The permanent water saving rules are common-sense rules to help us use water efficiently across Victoria. The Victorian Government sets these rules and they apply to everyone in Victoria.

To help manage our water use during major drought periods or when water supplies are low, we have water restrictions. There are 4 stages of restrictions – ranging from stage 1 (Alert) to stage 4 (Critical).

Unless there are water restrictions, you must follow the permanent water saving rules at all times. You can get a fine for not following these rules.

• Hard surfaces include driveways, paths, concrete, tiles, timber decking, gutters, windows and walls.

See our Permanent water saving rules fact sheet and Permanent Water Saving Plan.

Hand-held hoses and watering systems

You can only use a hand-held hose if it’s fitted with a trigger nozzle and is leak free.

Manual watering systems – the kind you turn on or off by hand – can be used to water gardens and lawns between 6pm and 10am on any day.

Automatic watering systems – the kind you set to turn on and off automatically – can only be used to water gardens and lawns between 6pm and 10am on any day.

Gardens and lawns

You can water a residential or commercial garden or lawn area:

• with a hand-held hose, bucket or watering can at any time
• using a manual or automatic watering system between 6pm and 10am any day.

Watering at night and in the early morning means that water is less likely to evaporate before it’s absorbed by plants and lawns.

Fountains and water features

You can only use water in a fountain or a water feature if it recirculates water.

Swimming pools and spas

There are no restrictions on filling or topping up pools and spas.

Paved areas and hard surfaces

Hard surfaces include driveways, paths, concrete, tiles, timber decking, gutters, windows and walls.

You cannot use water to clean hard surfaces as part of general cleaning.

You can use water to clean hard surfaces:

• where cleaning is required because of an accident, fire, health hazard, safety hazard or other emergency
• if the surface is stained, but only once a season
• during construction or renovation
• when fighting fires or testing fire systems.

When you have to clean a hard surface, save water by using a high-pressure water device. If that’s not possible, use a hand-held hose with a trigger nozzle or a bucket.

Car washing

You can use a hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle at any time for washing vehicles – including cars, trucks, boats and caravans.

Greywater and recycled water

You can use greywater and recycled water at any time.

Rainwater collected in a storage tank can be used at any time, unless it is supplemented by the mains water supply.

You can top up your water tank with a hand-held hose.

For more information, see Greywater and rainwater.

Public gardens and playing surfaces

You can water a public garden, lawn area or playing surface:

• with a hand-held hose, bucket or watering can at any time
• using a watering system fitted with a rain or soil moisture sensor between 6pm and 10am on any day
• if it is allowed under a Water Use Plan.

Exemptions

You can request an exemption from permanent water saving rules in special circumstances. For example, you might need to vary watering times or water a new lawn.

To request an exemption from most permanent water saving rules, you need to have an approved Water Use Plan.

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  Request exemption to water rules

  Request exemption

Report water use breaches

We monitor all our service areas to make sure everyone is following these water rules. You can get a fine for non-compliance.

If you see someone deliberately misusing water or not following the rules, contact us.