Melburnians could face water restrictions for the first time in more than a decade, with record-low inflows and falling dam levels prompting fresh warnings from the Victorian government.
According to a report in The Age, Victoria recorded its lowest inflows on record between January and June 2025, after dam levels dropped significantly over the year. As a result, the government’s water outlook for 2026 has increased the level of concern across the state, including the possibility that water restrictions could be introduced for Melbourne residents within the next 12 months.
The warning comes as summer arrives in Victoria, a period when household water use is at its highest. Government figures show water use in homes can rise by as much as 25 per cent compared to winter, driven largely by outdoor activities such as watering gardens, washing cars and outdoor cleaning.
This seasonal spike is putting added pressure on already strained water storages. Average storage levels across Victoria are currently sitting at 61 per cent of capacity, well down from 79 per cent at the same time last year, as dry conditions persist across much of the state.
Authorities are urging households to be mindful of their water use, pointing to Victoria’s Permanent Water Saving Rules, which apply statewide. Under these rules, sprinklers and watering systems can only be used between 6pm and 10am, hand-held hoses must be fitted with a trigger nozzle and be leak-free, and hard surfaces such as driveways and decks must not be hosed as part of general cleaning. Fountains and water features are also required to recirculate water.
The government says this time of year is critical, with careful and efficient water use now reducing the likelihood of stricter restrictions being needed in the future.
While individual actions may seem small, officials say they add up when adopted across the state and can make a significant difference in conserving Victoria’s water supplies. Residents are being encouraged to take simple steps to save water in and around their homes as dry conditions continue.
Click here to know more about Victoria’s permanent water saving rules.
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