GENERAL
Q. What are Permanent Water Saving Rules?
A. Permanent Water Saving Rules are just that. A set of common sense rules which have been introduced to provide long-term water savings to ensure Victoria has enough water now, and for the future.
Q. Why have Permanent Water Saving Rules been introduced?
A. Permanent Water Saving Rules have been introduced to help secure Victoria’s water supply for the next 50 years and beyond. Everyone has a role to play in saving water. The rules will help stop needless water wastage around the home and in the community such as watering during the heat of the day and hosing down paved areas.
Permanent Water Saving Rules are one of 110 water conservation initiatives outlined in the Victorian Government’s White Paper on water reform. For more information on these initiatives, please refer to the Our Water Our Future website at www.ourwater.vic.gov.au.
Q. When did the rules come into effect?
A. Permanent Water Savings Rules came into effect on Monday 6 August 2007.
Q. How do Permanent Water Saving Rules differ from staged water restrictions?
A. Permanent Water Saving Rules are a long term water conservation initiative which will help ensure the sustainability of Gippsland’s water supplies. They are permanent rules that will be in place unless staged water restrictions are required.
Staged water restrictions (i.e. Stages 1 – 4) are activated when water storages fall below specified levels, generally as a result of drought. They are temporary restrictions designed to achieve significant water savings (the higher the restriction level, the higher the savings required) over a short period of time.
Q. Why don’t we just stay in staged water restrictions?
A. Good rainfall combined with the savings achieved by Gippslanders through water restrictions has helped Gippsland’s water storages to recover to a level that has enabled us to exit staged water restrictions.
Q. Can staged water restrictions be re-introduced if needed?
A. Yes, staged water restrictions may be re -introduced at any time if water storage levels fall below specified levels. These levels, or ‘trigger points’, are specified in the Drought Response Plan which has been developed by Gippsland Water.
Q. Why do the Permanent Water Saving Rules only relate to outdoor water use?
A. Permanent Water Saving Rules target discretionary water use which commonly occurs outside of the home. Outdoor water use accounts for around 25% of all household water consumption.
Q. What savings are expected as a result of Permanent Water Saving Rules?
A. Overall, it is estimated that savings of around two per cent of average annual water consumption will be achieved by implementing Permanent Water Saving Rules.
Q. I’m not clear on some of the terms used in the Permanent Water Saving Rules such as ‘trigger nozzle’ and ‘high pressure water cleaning unit’?
A. Full lists of definitions are outlined within the Permanent Water Saving Plan which is available from www.gippswater.com.au.
Q. Was there any public consultation before the rules were introduced?
A. Yes, Gippsland Water undertook a public consultation program to give residential customers, business and industry an opportunity to comment on the proposed rules.
Q. How was the feedback from the public consultation process used?
A. Customer feedback has resulted in some changes being made to the rules. The final rules reflect a fairer approach to water use across the community, while still achieving the desired water savings.
Q. Wouldn’t all our problems be solved if we just built another dam?
A. Unfortunately dams do not create more water - there has to be adequate rainfall to fill them. A new dam would also take water from rivers that are already stressed. For more information about government policy on dams, visit the Our Water Our Future website at www.ourwater.vic.gov.au.
Q. What else is being done to ensure our water supply is sustained for the future?
A.The State Government’s White Paper on water reform; Securing Our Water Future Together, sets out 110 new initiatives for water conservation aimed at every sector of the community. It examines household use, industrial and agricultural use, recreation and tourism, environmental impacts, pricing, population increases and climate change to ensure there is plenty of water to sustain growth over the next 50 years.
For more information, visit the Our Water Our Future website at www.ourwater.vic.gov.au.
EXEMPTIONS
Q. Can I apply for an exemption?
A. Under Permanent Water Saving Rules, there are a number of ‘General Exemptions’ that apply automatically. A full list of these exemptions is available from Gippsland Water. An application for an exemption that is not already covered under the ‘General Exemptions’, can also be made to Gippsland Water.
Q. Does the exemption I received under stage one water restrictions still apply?
A. No, if you previously had an exemption under stage one water restrictions that is not covered by the ‘General Exemptions’ allowed under Permanent Water Saving Rules, you will need to re-apply for a separate exemption via Gippsland Water.
PENALTIES AND ENFORCEMENT
Q. Are there penalties for breaching the Permanent Water Saving Rules?
A. Gippsland Water has the ability to take legal action against a person found breaching the rules. The penalties are in the order of:
a. First offence $1,000
b. Subsequent offence $2,000
c. For a continuing offence, an additional penalty of around $200 per day, on which the offence continues (up to a maximum of around $2,000), applies after service of a notice of contravention.
Gippsland Water also has the power to restrict the water supply to anyone found guilty of breaching the rules.
Q. How will the rules be enforced?
A. As with water restrictions, Gippsland Water will continue to rely on the public to report any suspected breach of the rules. Where necessary, patrols will also be conducted.
Q. If I see someone breaching the rules, what should I do?
A. You should report the alleged breach to Gippsland Water.
RAIN AND SOIL MOISTURE SENSORS
Q. Why are rain and soil moisture sensors being made mandatory for new automatic watering systems installed from 1 June 2006?
A. Most new automatic watering systems have a simple time -based controller which doesn’t take into account the prevailing weather and soil conditions. These watering systems are often activated when it is raining, resulting in the unnecessary wastage of water.
Q. What is a rain or soil moisture sensor?
A. Rain and soil moisture sensors are devices that are designed to be fitted to automatic watering systems to prevent them from operating when it is raining(in the case of a rain sensor) or when the soil is wet (in the case of a soil moisture sensor).
Q. Will there be any financial assistance for the installation of rain or soil moisture sensors?
A. Yes, under the State Government’s Water Smart Gardens and Homes Rebate Scheme, a person purchasing a rain or soil moisture sensor (either separately or as part of an automatic watering system) may be eligible to receive a $30 rebate as part of the $100 basket offer.
For further details on the Water Smart Gardens and Homes Rebate Scheme, please refer to the Our Water Our Future website at www.ourwater.vic.gov.au.
Q. How much do rain or soil moisture sensors cost?
A. There is a wide variety of rain and soil moisture sensors on the market and prices can vary considerably. For more information on prices and which types of sensor will suit your needs, check with your local hardware or nursery supplier.
POOLS AND SPAS
Q. I want to fill my pool, spa, tank or dam. What do I have to do?
A. This depends on whether the pool, spa, tank or dam is new and what volume of water it holds. If you are filling a new pool, spa, tank or dam that has a capacity of 2,000 litres or more, then you will need to contact Gippsland Water for approval.
If you are filling an existing pool, spa, tank or dam, or the pool, spa, tank or dam is new but it holds less than 2,000 litres of water, then you do not have to get approval from Gippsland Water.
Q. Can the ‘kids’ use slip n’ slides and other outdoor toys?
A. Yes, outdoor water toys are permitted at any time. |