Monthly Water Security Update – April 2026

/in /by
Situation overview – 30 April 2026
  • As at the end of April, our primary water storage, Candowie Reservoir, is 50% full. This compares with 42.7% at the same time last year (30 April 2025).
  • We continue to monitor water resources carefully, and we will actively use the available water supply sources to manage demand where necessary.
  • Below average rainfall over the past year has meant that our local water storage has not yet recovered. During this time of low rainfall, it’s vital that we conserve our water supplies so that we can be prepared, no matter what the future holds.
  • Supplementing our local supplies through our connection to Victoria’s water grid, including water from the Wonthaggi Desalination Plant, is improving our water security position.
  • We’re closely monitoring storage levels as we head towards winter! Every drop of water we save today makes a big difference for our future water supplies. Let’s work together to be water-wise and protect our drinking water.
Community water saving
  • 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.
Permanent Water Saving Rules
  • 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.

Permanent Water Saving Rules