Water Security Update - 31 July 2026

Our local water storage level is rising following 136 mm of rainfall in July. Candowie Reservoir is now 90% full, compared with 45% at the same time last year.
Improved river flows and wetter catchment conditions are providing more consistent inflows into our water storages, helping to strengthen local water supplies and improve water security across the region.
Since early July, your drinking water has been supplied entirely from local sources. During June, water was sourced from the Melbourne Grid connection. As different water sources have slightly different characteristics, customers may notice a slight change in the taste of their water.
While these wet conditions are encouraging, we continue to monitor our water resources closely. Every drop of water we save today strengthens our future water security.

Water plays a vital role in our everyday lives, supporting our health, environment, communities, and local economy.
We’re looking for customers to join our Urban Water Strategy Customer Panel to share their views on future water security, investment priorities, and the trade-offs between cost, reliability and long-term outcomes.
Participate in a two-hour engagement session on Thursday 13 August, from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm, and receive a $100 bill credit as a thank you for your time.
Customers can take part online or in person at 2 Boys Home Road, Newhaven.
Expressions of Interest are open until Tuesday 11 August 2026. To register, simply complete the form available on our website.

Permanent Water Saving Rules are in place across Victoria every day of the year. These simple, common-sense rules aim to ensure that we all use drinking water wisely to reduce waste and ensure we’re doing our part to safeguard it for generations to come.
The Rules focus on outdoor water use and apply only to drinking water – not greywater, rainwater, bore water, or recycled water.
- HOSES – Hoses must be leak-free with a trigger nozzle for all uses, including washing cars and gardens. Trigger nozzles ensure less water is wasted.
- GARDEN WATERING – Home and commercial gardens can only be watered between 6pm and 10am, if using a sprinkler or watering system. This avoids the hottest part of the day when water wastage occurs due to evaporation. You can water gardens at any time using a hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, watering can or bucket.
- HARD SURFACES – Water must not be used to clean hard surfaces such as concrete, paths and driveways. Swapping to a broom will save a lot of water from being washed down the drain.
- PUBLIC GREEN SPACES – Public gardens, lawns and playing surfaces (e.g. bowling greens, sporting ovals and pitches) can be watered by a sprinkler or watering system fitted with a rain or soil moisture sensor between 6 pm and 10 am.
- FOUNTAINS AND WATER FEATURES – Must recirculate the water.

Efficient use of water in homes plays an important role in helping conserve Victoria’s water supplies and avoiding water restrictions in the future.
It’s the everyday water-saving habits – from the backyard to the bathroom – that collectively help conserve our water supplies.
Shorter showers, leak-free taps and smart garden watering are all easy wins for water saving in the home.
We can all play our part to make every drop count. Visit Make Every Drop Count to find out more about the actions you can take at home to save water at home.

Westernport Water is aiming to increase the use of recycled water for fit-for-purpose uses to help conserve drinking water supplies, while also improving the health of our waterways.
Recycled water is being used across Phillip Island for a range of purposes – from supporting agriculture to keeping parks, gardens and sporting facilities green – all while reducing pressure on drinking water supplies.
Every litre of recycled water used for greening open spaces, flushing toilets, laundry use and in some commercial uses is a litre of water we don’t have to take from drinking water supplies.
Recycled water is treated to high standards so it can be used in residential areas, safely irrigate farms and green spaces like the Phillip Island Community Orchard.
If you have lost your purple outside garden tap top security key, we have replacements available at our head office in Newhaven.

Media contact: Geoff Russell, Manager Communications and Engagement on 1300 720 711.

Water Security Update – 31 July 2026