Melbourne has now entered Stage 3A water restrictions. The primary difference from stage three being that no evening watering of gardens is allowed.

Gardens may now only be watered between 6am and 8am for manual systems while automatic systems (which turn on and off automatically) can only be used between midnight-2am.

Even numbered houses can water on Saturday and Tuesday while odd numbered houses can water on Sunday and Wednesday.

Greywater can be used for gardens but to ensure high health standards it must be used within 24 hours of collection (unless it has been treated).

Water restrictions are also having an impact on local councils. The current regulations allow councils to water just one in four sportsgrounds, Maroondah is working sporting clubs to try and rationalise sporting facilities.

For more information please visit the Yarra Valley Water website www.yvw.com.au.