Permanent Water Saving Rules
Permanent water saving rules were introduced in 2011 to help us use water efficiently. The rules were reviewed in December 2025 to ensure they are still fit for purpose
Water is one of our most precious resources, essential for life. However our water storages can drop rapidly, so we all need to make sure it isn’t being wasted. Across Victoria, households and businesses are taking practical steps to conserve our water supplies, like collecting rainwater and installing water-efficient appliances to protect our water supplies for the future.
To support these efforts, Permanent Water Saving Rules are in place across the state 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.
While most people do the right thing, it’s important to know that breaking the rules can lead to penalties.
These rules focus on outdoor water use and apply only to drinking water – not greywater, rainwater, bore water, or recycled water.
Below is a summary of the rules. For more details, please refer to the FAQ below.
Note that there are many more water saving steps we can each take to go above and beyond these basic rules – water saving tips.
Key rules
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 watering systems. 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.
Exemptions apply when cleaning is needed to address a hazard, surface staining or during construction. See FAQ below for more information on situations when water can be used to clean hard surfaces.
- In these situations, a high pressure water cleaning device must be used if one is available. Otherwise, a hand-held hose or a bucket can be used.
Public green spaces
Public gardens, lawns and playing surfaces (e.g. bowling greens, sporting ovals and pitches) can be watered:
- with a hand-held hose (fitted with a trigger nozzle), watering can or bucket at any time, any day
- by a sprinkler or watering system fitted with a rain or soil moisture sensor between 6 pm and 10 am. (This avoids the hottest part of the day when water wastage occurs due to evaporation and ensures that we don’t water when it’s not needed or in accordance with an approved water use plan.)
Fountains and water features
All fountains and other water features must recirculate water.
Victoria’s Permanent Water Saving Rules.PDF
Three simple year-round rules help keep our precious water for when we need it, every day of the year.
Small changes – A big difference.PDF
Simple changes at home can save water every day. Try these tips inside and out:
Exemptions
Westernport Water may grant exemptions from water rules or restrictions in special circumstances.
For information regarding the circumstances under which an exemption may be granted and how to apply, please visit our Exemptions and Water Use Plans page.
Model Water Restriction By-Law 106
Read more about the Model Water Restriction By-Law here – Model Water Restriction By-law 106
Faqs
Are the Permanent Water Saving Rules a form of water restrictions and when will they end?
As the rules do restrict water use, they can be considered a basic form of restrictions, and like restrictions, are enforceable under law. However, unlike staged (numbered) water restrictions, the water saving rules are permanent and don’t have an end date.
The permanent water saving rules are in place to help conserve our water supply into the future.
What is a high-pressure water cleaning device?
A high-pressure water cleaner is an electric or petrol-powered device that connects to a hose, forcing water out at high pressure for more effective cleaning.
The rate of delivery must be 9 litres per minute or less.
What is a watering system?
A watering system is any automatic or manually operated system of sprinklers, drip hoses, weep hoses, etc. Even a simple garden sprinkler connected to a tap is considered a watering system.
The most efficient and effective watering system is a sub-surface drip hose, connected to a timer to water overnight. This ensures plants get water near their roots, and minimises water loss to evaporation.
Why can I only water at night or early in the morning?
It’s more efficient and effective to water your garden when the sun goes down. Lower evaporation means water is more likely to get to plant roots.
When can water be used to clean hard surfaces?
Water can only be used to clean hard surfaces (including, driveways, paths, concrete, tiles, timber decking) when:
- where cleaning is required as a result of an accident, fire, health hazard, safety hazard or other emergency
- if staining to the surface has developed and then only once a season
- in the course of construction or renovation;
and then only by means of:
- a high pressure water cleaning device
- or if such a device is not available, a hand-held hose or a bucket.
Do the rules apply to bore, grey, rainwater or recycled water?
No the Permanent Water Saving Rules apply only to drinking water supplied through our reticulation network.
Do Permanent Water Savings Rules apply during a fire emergency?
No.
Can I still wash my windows?
Yes. There are no restrictions on washing windows.
How should I wash my car?
Cars, boats and other vehicles can be washed at home at any time or any day, using:
- a high-pressure water cleaner
- a hose fitted with a trigger nozzle
- a bucket or watering can.
The same rules apply to car dealerships.
Can I fill or top-up my pool or spa?
Yes. There are no restrictions on filling or topping up pools, spas or ponds under the Permanent Water Saving Rules.
However, unless granted an exemption, you are not allowed to fill up a residential pool or spa during water restrictions or outside of the set times outlined under permanent water-saving rules.
Request exemption from water rules or restrictions – Westernport Water
Are there exemptions to Permanent Water Saving Rules?
Yes, water can be used at any time for:
- human health requirements
- stock and animal health requirements
- fire fighting
- the safety of, but not the cleaning of, vehicles or equipment.
In other special circumstances, you can request an exemption from some permanent water saving rules or a stage of water restrictions .
Some exemptions also require a Water Use Plan. Water Use Plans help manage water use for specific purposes or during a specific stage of restrictions. They assist in maximising water savings during water restrictions.
Who can apply for an exemption?
Applications for exemptions can be made from residential customers, on behalf of a business, company, industry or commercial or industrial organisation; or on behalf of a council, public or private school, a sportsground, a public garden or a tennis club.
How are applications made?
Applications must be made via the application form.
Westernport Water will then consider the application within a reasonable period and either grant approval (subject to any conditions WPW considers appropriate) or refuse the application.
What is a Water Use Plan?
A Water Use Plan outlines the measures that are already being used, or that are planned to be used, to assist in saving water.
It controls the use of water for specific purposes or for a specific stage of restrictions.
It helps to maximise water savings during restrictions.
A Water Use Plan must be approved by the relevant water corporation prior to consideration of an exemption to some of the Permanent Water Saving Rules.