Apollo Bay to move to Stage 3 water restrictions

Due to ongoing dry conditions, from Saturday 10 May Stage 3 water restrictions will be introduced in Apollo Bay, Marengo and Skenes Creek.

Barwon Water has determined this measure is needed to protect local water storages, which have continued to decline since the introduction of Stage 2 restrictions in early April.

While customers’ efforts have helped reduce water use, Apollo Bay has just experienced its driest 12 months from May to April in 86 years, and its second driest on record.

Storages sat at 25.6% on 7 May, compared to 96.5% at the same time last year.

General Manager Planning, Delivery and Environment Seamus Butcher thanked residents and visitors for their ongoing efforts to limit their water use.

“The Apollo Bay community has a great understanding of the need to use water efficiently and wisely, and we appreciate their efforts to conserve valuable supplies,” Mr Butcher said.

“Unfortunately, our storages continue to be impacted by this record-breaking stretch of low rainfall.

“The Stage 3 restrictions will help to manage demand, and we’re exploring a range of future options to maintain supply security should the dry conditions continue.”

Demand on local drinking water supplies is being reduced thanks to a new pipeline, which is delivering recycled water to the Apollo Bay Golf Club. This is irrigating the majority of the course with recycled water and will save millions of litres of drinking water annually.

Innovative improvements also helped to optimise the Apollo Bay Basin storage capacity in 2022, with an additional capacity of 21 million litres created.

Barwon Water has been spreading the word on sustainable water use and encouraging residents to use water wisely across ongoing community pop-ups in Apollo Bay.

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be promoting opportunities for customers to replace shower heads, upgrade toilets and access washing machine rebates; providing water conservation giveaways such as shower timers; and supporting local businesses to take advantage of rebates and grants.

These initiatives are supported by longer-term planning currently underway with the community, to help create a sustainable and resilient long term water future for the region.

Apollo Bay’s water supply is harvested from the Barham River, in the southern Otway Ranges, where flows have been reduced due to the ongoing dry conditions.

Forecast growth, and a changing climate, means more investments will be made to maintain reliable long-term supplies in the area.

Our “Apollo Bay: Water Your Say” project is exploring a variety of topics related to Apollo Bay’s water security, with a Community Working Group providing valuable local insights and knowledge. For more information: www.yoursay.barwonwater.vic.gov.au/apollo-bay-hub

Stage 3 water restrictions

Residential demand accounts for 73 per cent of water use across the Barwon Water region, meaning changes inside your home can have a big impact.

By making simple changes, such as taking shorter showers and washing clothes and dishes with full loads, you can significantly lower your water use.

The main differences between stage 2 and 3 relate to the days and times gardens can be watered; filling or topping up pools and spas; cleaning hard surfaces; and washing vehicles.

Key Stage 3 restrictions include:

• Residential and commercial lawns cannot be watered (unchanged from Stage 2).
• Gardens can only be watered on alternate days, from 6am to 8am, using a hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, bucket or watering can, or with a dripper watering system.
• Fountains or water features cannot be filled or topped up at any time.
• Cleaning and hosing down hard surfaces are restricted.
• Filling pools and spas is not permitted. Pools/spas can be topped up on alternate days between 6am and 8am with a hand-held hose, bucket or watering can, or automatic top-up device, or in accordance with an approved Water Use Plan.
• Washing vehicle windows, mirrors, lights, and registration plates, as well as removing corrosive substances, can be done at home using a bucket or watering can, or at a commercial car wash, and only where cleaning is required for health and safety reasons, safety hazard or other emergencies.

Further information on Stage 3 restrictions can be found at: www.water.vic.gov.au/for-households/water-restrictions-and-rules/stage-3-water-restrictions

Alternatively, visit our dedicated page, regularly updated with the latest information: www.barwonwater.vic.gov.au/water-and-waste/Water-restrictions

Apollo Bay Basin with the Otway Ranges in the background.