Request exemption from water rules or restrictions

Exemptions and Water Use Plans

Apply for a Water Use Plan to request an exemption from permanent water saving rules or water restrictions.

Permanent water-saving rules are always in place to help us use water efficiently. Water corporations sometimes use water restrictions to help manage urban water use.

Water Use Plans

Water Use Plans help control water use for specific purposes or in a particular stage of restrictions. Water use plans help you to maximise your water-savings during restrictions.

A Water Use Plan will only be approved if:

the water use described in the plan is permitted under the relevant stage of restrictions
the Water Use Plan is part of a water restriction exemption application.

Application for a residential pool or spa

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.

A residential pool or spa means a privately used swimming pool or spa. The pool or spa may be inside or outside.

For your residential pool or spa to be considered for an exemption, you must complete a Water Use Plan application.

This Water Use Plan application shows how you will save water each year. The amount of water you save should be the same as the amount of water you need to fill or top up your pool or spa. Your water savings will balance out the water you need to fill or top up your pool or spa.

What do I need to submit an exemption for residential pools or spas?

You will need to upload either:

receipts for water saving products you’ve purchased
a Victorian Building Authority (VBA) Compliance Certificate.

Application for a commercial or public pool or spa

Unless granted an exemption, you are not allowed to fill up a commercial or public pool or spa during water restrictions or outside of the set times outlined under permanent water-saving rules.

A commercial or public pool or spa is an indoor or outdoor pool or spa that is either:

for public use and operated by (or on behalf of) a public statutory body
for limited public use and operated by (or on behalf of) a school or educational facility
for limited public use for physical rehabilitation and operated by (or on behalf of) a public statutory body or a private company.

For your public pool or spa to be considered for an exemption, you must complete a Water Use Plan application.

When approving Water Use Plans and exemptions Westernport Water will take into consideration its Water Restriction By-Law 106 and Urban Water Supply Strategy.

Application for a playing surface (sports ground or oval)

Unless granted an exemption, when watering playing surfaces you must follow permanent water-saving rules and any additional rules that are in place during water restrictions. You can find more information about watering playing surfaces on our website.

For your playing surface to be considered for an exemption, you must complete a Water Use Plan application. The plan must outline how you plan on reducing the amount of water you are using across your facility.

A playing surface is any outdoor area that is used for organised sport or recreation. A playing surface means:

a soft-fall area at a child-care facility or public playground
any of the following at a sporting or recreational facility:

- a turf wicket for competition cricket or a turf wicket for practicing cricket (only if an alternative practice wicket that does not require watering (such as a synthetic wicket) is not available)
- a lawn or other type of running track, for use by humans or animals
- a baseball or softball diamond, including the infield and any clay running area
- a hockey or lacrosse pitch
- a green for lawn bowls, croquet or similar sport
- the penalty areas of a soccer pitch
- a golfing tee or green (but not fairways or approaches)

Application for tennis club (not required)

Unless granted an exemption, a tennis club must follow the permanent water-saving rules and any additional rules that are in place during water restrictions. You can find information about watering your tennis courts on our website.

For your tennis club to be considered for an exemption, you must complete a Water Use Plan application. The plan must outline how you plan on reducing the amount of water you are using across your tennis club.

This plan is intended to be used by owners and managers of tennis clubs.

All Water Use Plan applications will be assessed on the information provided in the form below (or uploaded separately). If you have any questions, you can contact Westernport Water on 1300 720 711.

Application for a public garden or lawn.

Unless granted an exemption, the watering of a public garden or lawn during must follow the permanent water-saving rules and any additional rules that are in place during water restrictions.

A public garden area could be:

any garden area at any park, reserve or other outdoor area, used or available for public recreation or amenity
garden area at any cemetery, crematorium, central road area or roundabout under the management or control of a public statutory body
trees located in a nature strip.

For the public garden or lawn to be considered for an exemption, you must complete a Water Use Plan application.

This Water Use Plan application does not cover watering a Garden of Significance.

Application for a Commercial Car Wash

Unless granted an exemption, a commercial car wash must follow the permanent water-saving rules and any additional rules that are in place during water restrictions.

For your commercial car wash to be considered for an exemption, you must complete a Water Use Plan application.

A commercial car wash is any commercial facility used for washing any type of vehicle. A vehicle includes a car, boat, truck, airplane or any other vehicle that is propelled or moved. Your car wash is required to demonstrate compliance with Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria trade waste discharge requirements.

Application for a Dust Suppression Water Use Plan

Unless an exemption is granted, using water for dust suppression must follow the permanent water-saving rules and any additional rules that are in place during water restrictions.

Under water restrictions, using water to suppress dust is only allowed if you have a Water Use Plan.

Use the form below to apply for a Dust Suppression Water Use Plan.

Application for a nursery or market garden

Unless granted an exemption, a nursery or market garden must follow the permanent water-saving rules and any additional rules that are in place during water restrictions.

For your nursery or market garden to be considered for an exemption, you must complete a Water Use Plan application.

A nursery or market garden is any area that is used primarily to propagate, cultivate or harvest fruit, vegetables, vines or other plants for sale and distribution.

Application for a residential pond or lake

Unless granted an exemption, a residential pond or lake must follow the permanent water-saving rules and any additional rules that are in place during water restrictions.

For your residential pond or lake to be considered for an exemption, you must complete a Water Use Plan application.

A residential pond or lake includes any collection of water for ornamental or urban drainage retention purposes. It does not include a fountain, water feature or tank that is used to house fish or other aquatic life.

Application for a pond, lake, dam or tank

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Exemptions

In special circumstances, you can request an exemption from some permanent water saving rules or a stage of water restrictions. If these circumstances apply to you, you can apply for an exemption.

Exemptions available are:

To water a Garden of Significance

Unless granted an exemption, the watering of a Garden of Significance must follow the permanent water-saving rules and any additional rules that are in place during water restrictions.

In some circumstances, you can apply for an exemption to the permanent water-saving rules or water restrictions. For your Garden of Significance to be considered for an exemption, you must complete the application form below.

A Garden of Significance (GoS) is a public or private garden with significant botanic, environmental or historic qualities. It must be at least one of the following:

The garden is listed on a national or state-wide register.
The garden is important to the local community because of its unique or diverse plant life.
The garden is ingrained in the life of the local community.

What will I need to apply?

To successfully complete this application you will be asked to supply:

at least one photo of the garden
any supporting documents that explain the garden’s trees and plants in more detail
your bills from the last three years ready to calculate your water consumption.

General exemption application for residential water use

Certain personal situations and water use are exempt from permanent water-saving rules.

There are specific forms available for specific types of exemptions, like a medical exemption. Use this form if your proposed water use does not fit under any of the specific exemption types.

Unless granted an exemption, residential water use must follow the permanent water-saving rules and any additional rules that are in place during water restrictions.

For your residential water use to be considered for an exemption, you must complete a general exemption application.

General exemption application for non-residential water use

Unless granted an exemption, non-residential water use must follow the permanent water-saving rules and any additional rules that are in place during water restrictions.

Non-residential water use includes water use by:

businesses
companies
industry
commercial or institutional organisations
councils
schools and clubs.

For non-residential water use to be considered for an exemption, you must complete an exemption application,

There are specific forms available for specific kinds of exemptions, like for construction or hard surface cleaning. Use this form if your proposed water use does not fit under any of the specific exemption types.

For construction or hard surface cleaning

In some circumstances, you can apply for an exemption to the permanent water-saving rules or water restrictions.

When we are assessing your exemption request, we will use the information in the water restriction by-laws and our Drought Preparedness Plan to decide whether to give you an exemption.

We’ll assess applications based on the information provided by you in this form and any additional information attached separately.

If you have any questions, contact us.

Medical exemption from using a trigger nozzle

In some circumstances, you can apply for an exemption to the permanent water-saving rules or water restrictions.

When we are assessing your exemption request, we will use the information in the water restriction by-laws and our Urban Water Strategy to decide whether to give you an exemption.

We’ll assess applications based on the information provided by you in this form and any additional information attached separately.

To water new warm season grass

If you are planting warm season grass you can apply for an exemption to the permanent water-saving rules or water restrictions.

Warm season grass requires less water than other types of grass and usually take four weeks to establish a root network. Once established, warm season grass is resilient and doesn’t need much watering.

A 28-day exemption allows new warm season grass to be watered outside of the watering times set under water restrictions or permanent water-saving rules. The exemption helps establish warm season grass so households can invest in the long-term water efficiency of their garden.

The exemption only applies to watering new warm season grass. After the exemption period ends, you are subject to the current stage of restrictions or permanent water-saving rules. Under these rules, you’re not allowed to water grass using a watering system during the day.

When we are assessing your exemption request, we will use the information in the water restriction by-laws and our Urban Water Strategy to decide whether to give you an exemption.

We’ll assess applications based on the information provided by you in this form and any additional information attached separately.

To water a residential garden or lawn outside of set times

In some circumstances, you can apply for an exemption to the permanent water-saving rules or water restrictions.

When we are assessing your exemption request, we will use the information in the water restriction by-laws and our Urban Water Strategy to decide whether to give you an exemption.

We’ll assess applications based on the information provided by you in this form and any additional information attached separately.

Q&A about Exemptions and Water Use Plans

What is a Water Use Plan?

A Water Use Plan controls the use of water for specific purposes or for a specific stage of restrictions. It helps you maximise your water-savings during restrictions.

A Water Use Plan will only be approved if:

the water use described in the plan is allowed under the relevant stage of restrictions
the Water Use Plan is part of a water restriction exemption application.

Why do I need to have a Water Use Plan Approved?

A Water Use Plan will only be approved if:

the water use described in the plan is permitted under the relevant stage of restrictions
the Water Use Plan is part of a water restriction exemption application.

What is the Water Restriction By-law 106?

Water Restriction By-law 106 was made using a Model Water Restriction By-law issued by the Minister for Water on 4 March 2022. Water Restriction By-law 106 is made in relation to restrictions and prohibitions on the use of water that may be imposed in the Water Supply District of Westernport Water.

The purpose of the by-law is to:

promote the efficient use and conservation of water
set out four stages of restrictions on the use of water, ranging from stage one (mild) to stage four (severe)
specify things which must not be done while each stage of restriction persists
specify principles for considering applications for exemptions from particular restrictions
prescribe offences and penalties for the contravention of the by-law, including for which an infringement notice may be served
prescribe classes of persons for the purpose of issuing infringement notices.

Westernport Water – Model Water Restriction By-law 106 – 01042022

What are Permanent Water Saving Rules?

The permanent water-saving rules are a set of rules that reduce demand for water and make sure we use water efficiently across Victoria.

These rules are always in place and are the same across Victoria.

Read about the permanent water saving rules on our website here.

What is the Urban Water Strategy?

An Urban Water Strategy (formerly Water Supply Demand Strategy) is completed by all Victorian Water Corporations every five years and considers water usage and water availability for a 50 year period. The purpose of our Urban Water Strategy is to identify any potential future shortfalls in the supply demand balance and identify the best mix of measures to address the shortfalls. Our Drought Preparedness Plans are part of our Urban Water Strategy.

What is the Annual Water Outlook?

Every year ahead of summer, we publish an Annual Water Outlook, which is a summary of our region’s water supply and demand for the upcoming year.

The outlook assesses potential water demand for the coming year and rainfall forecasts and climatic factors, as well as outlining actions we plan to take in the short, medium and long term to continue ensuring security of our water supplies. It also forecasts if any systems are likely to see water restrictions implemented in the coming year.

Find this year’s Annual Water Outlook here

What is WELS?

The Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) scheme uses a rating system to help you make informed choices about the water efficiency of products you buy in a store or online.

For more information see the Water Rating website.

Why do I need a VBA Compliance Certificate?

A VBA Compliance Certificate is issued for plumbing work that follows the relevant plumbing standards for Victoria. Only a licensed plumber can issue this certificate.

For more information, visit the Victorian Building Authority website.

Click here to start your Exemption and Water Use Plans Application form