Temporary water restrictions

The Utilties (Water Conservation) Regulation 2006 provides for the ACT’s temporary water restrictions scheme. The scheme comes into effect if ACTEW Corporation (the ACT’s water utility), after consultation with the Minister and the Environment Protection Authority, identifies the need to restrict the use of water based on a number of criteria, such as water storage levels. Temporary water restrictions are a means of achieving short-term demand reductions due to drought or other emergencies.

While the ACT is no longer operating under a temporary water restrictions scheme, a system of Water Conservation Measures came into effect on a permanent basis on 31 March 2006. Permanent Water Conservation Measures are based on sensible water use practices that are reasonable, easy to follow and aim to cement behavioural changes to ensure permanent water savings.