Permanent water saving rules will apply to all areas serviced by Westernport Water from August 25, 2008.

These rules apply at all times except when water restriction by-laws are operational.

SUMMARY

1. Handheld hoses must be fitted with a trigger nozzle and then may be used to wash cars and water garden and lawns at any time;
2. Manual watering systems can only be used between 7pm and 10am;
3. Automatic watering systems can only be used between 10pm and 10am;
4. No hosing of paved areas except in specified circumstances;
5. Before filling new pools/spas with a capacity of 2000 litres or more, a water conservation plan must be lodged with, and approved by, Westernport Water;
6. Non-residential customers who use more than 10ML/year of drinking water must develop a water management action plan (called a waterMAP).

MORE DETAILS

1. Handheld hoses must be fitted with a trigger nozzle, be in good condition and not leak. They can be used to wash cars and water gardens and lawns at any time. A handheld hose may only be used to flush a boat motor if it is fitted with an appropriate flushing device.
2. Manual watering systems (that you turn on and off by hand) can only be used to water gardens and lawns between 7pm and 10am any day of the week. This measure applies to public gardens, sports grounds and recreational areas, too.
3. Automatic water systems (that are set to turn on and off automatically) can be used only to water gardens and lawns between 10pm and 10am, any day of the week. A rain or soil moisture sensor must be fitted to all systems installed from 1 June 2006 onwards. These measures also apply to public gardens, sports grounds and recreational areas.
4. NO hosing of paved areas is permitted except in specified circumstances.
   A paved area is any courtyard, footpath, driveway or other area with a concrete, asphalt, brick, tile, bitumen, timber decking or similar surface.
5. Paved areas must not be cleaned with water from a hose, unless cleaning is required as a result of:
   • An accident, fire, health hazard or other emergency;
   • An identifiable safety hazard that has developed and a handheld hose fitted with a trigger nozzle or high-pressure water cleaning unit is used;
   • When there is staining to the surface such as that caused by oil, animal/bird faeces or plant material. Either a handheld hose fitted with a trigger nozzle or a high-pressure water cleaning unit must be used and then only once per season.
6. When the paved area is under construction or renovation, if a high-pressure water cleaning unit is used.
7. Before filling new pools/spas (with a capacity of 2000 litres or more), a water conservation plan that details water conservation measures must be lodged with, and approved by, Westernport Water.
   A water conservation plan application form is available by contacting the customer service team on 1300 720 711 or can be downloaded from www.westernportwater.com.au. The plan must show that the volume of water needed to fill the pool or spa will be, or has been, offset by water saved around the home.
8. New pools or spas that hold less than 2000 litres of water can be filled without a water conservation plan, and previously filled pools or spas of any size may be topped up by any means at any time.

Please click here for a handy flier on our Permanent Water Saving Rules