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Residential and commercial gardens and lawns

Hand watering

You can water residential or commercial gardens on alternate days between 6 am to 8 am using a hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle.

You cannot water residential or commercial lawns at any time.

Watering systems

You can only water gardens using a dripper watering system on alternate days between 6 am to 8 am.

Alternate days mean people may use their watering systems on an odds and evens, date-based approach:

  • Even and no-numbered properties may water on even dates, for example, the 2nd, 4th, 6th and so on.
  • Odd-numbered properties may water on odd dates, for example, 1st, 3rd, 5th, and so on.
  • All properties may water on the 31st of any month or the 29 February.

Public gardens, lawns and playing surfaces

Hand watering

You can water public gardens and playing surfaces on alternate days between 6 am to 8 am using a hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle.

You cannot water public lawn areas at any time.

Watering systems

Public gardens and playing surfaces can also use a dripper watering system only on alternate days between 6 am to 8 am or water in accordance with an approved Water Use Plan.

Fountains and water features

Water cannot be used to fill or top up a fountain or water feature at any time.

Hosing down hard surfaces

You cannot hose down hard surfaces, including driveways, paths, concrete, tiles, timber decking and other paved areas, except where cleaning is required due to an accident, fire, health hazard, safety hazard or other emergency.

You can use a high-pressure cleaning unit, or if such a unit is unavailable, a hose fitted with a trigger nozzle or a bucket during construction or renovation.

Vehicle washing

You can wash the windows, mirrors, lights, and registration plates and for spot removing corrosive substances off your car, boat or other vehicle at home using a bucket or watering can or at a commercial car wash, and only where cleaning is required for health and safety reasons, safety hazard or other emergency.

Sporting grounds

Councils and schools can water sports grounds and gardens in accordance with the times under Stage 3 restrictions or submit a Water Use Plan to water outside the prescribed hours efficiently.

Pools, spas and water toys

Filling

A new or existing residential or commercial pool or spa of any capacity cannot be filled. However, new or existing public pools or spas of any capacity can be filled in accordance with a Water Use Plan.

Topping up

Existing residential or commercial pools or spas, and new or existing public pools or spas of any size can only be topped up:

  • on alternate days 6 am to 8 am using a hand-held hose, bucket or watering can, or
  • by using an automatic water top-up device at any time, or
  • in accordance with an approved Water Use Plan.

You cannot fill or top-up a mobile spa at any time.

Water toys

You cannot connect a water toy to a hose at any time.

Exemptions

Each Victorian urban water corporation can grant exemptions to water restrictions in special circumstances.

For information regarding the circumstances under which an exemption may be granted and how to apply, please get in touch with your local water corporation.

Page last updated: 08/09/23