Water restrictions for Apollo Bay, neighbouring towns

STAGE two water restrictions will be introduced in Apollo Bay, Marengo and Skenes Creek from Monday, April 7.

In response to dry conditions, Barwon Water has determined the measure is needed to safeguard supplies and ensure sufficient water levels.

The region is experiencing its third driest summer in the past 50 years.

Water storage levels have fallen from 98.2 on March 23 in 2024, to 38.7 per cent on the same day this year.

Under stage two restrictions, residential and commercial lawns cannot be watered at any time.

Gardens can be watered using a hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, bucket or can at any time.

Watering systems can not only be used between 6am-8am and 6pm-8pm on alternate days.

Cleaning windows, hosing down hard surfaces and washing vehicles is restricted.

Barwon Water general manager planning, delivery and environment, Seamus Butcher said restrictions will come into effect before peak Easter season.

“The lengthy dry period has had a significant impact, and we want to ensure we protect our supplies until storages can recover,” Mr Butcher said.

“Stage two restrictions are aimed at best managing our storage levels and ensuring that the wider community is using water efficiently and wisely.

“We’ll continue to closely monitor storages, usage trends and rainfall forecasts, with an eye to lifting restrictions as soon as we can.”

Apollo Bay’s water storages are harvested solely from the Barham River, making supply vulnerable during dry stints.

Barwon Water continue to invest in a range of improvements and sustainability initiatives to improve storages in the area.

More information on storage levels can be found at barwonwater.vic.gov.au

Restrictions do not apply to recycled water or tank water.