The Australian Approach to Water
In general, urban water authorities in Australia have historically focused on a once-through use-and-dispose approach to water. This involved water harvest, treatment, storage, use and disposal through a system of pipes over a large area.
During the past decade it has been increasingly recognised that Australia's water resources are limited and that traditional approaches to meeting demand by expanding supply (eg. new dams) are unsustainable.
Policies have begun to focus on more efficient, sustainable and integrated use of existing resources as well as regarding wastewater as a source of water rather than a waste product.
Integrated water management encourages coordination of local, state, national and international strategies to ensure that water is used optimally and other related issues (such as greenhouse gas production) are addressed. It can also be undertaken in a site specific manner to ensure the best use of water for all activities and purposes.
Current water treatment technologies allow rainwater, greywater and effluent to be cleaned and made available for more than one use, thus reducing overall requirements.
Melbourne's Drinking Water - A Short history
The first attempt at white settlement in Victoria near Sorrento in 1803 was abandoned partly because of a lack of water. In 1835 the settlement of Melbourne was established at a point on the lower Yarra near the art centre where a low rock ridge separated fresh water from the salty estuarine waters. This was knocked out a few years later so that larger boats could unload and load supplies.
The Yan Yean was the city's first water supply reservoir which was finished in 1857. Several years later, the Water Supply Department banned the use of hoses for watering gardens - and offenders risked fines or disconnection.
Australian colonial officials denied the existence of drought during the late 19th century as part of their efforts to attract more European immigrants.
In the 20th century, drought was treated as something to be fought, cured or beaten. Many schemes in Victoria tried to 'drought-proof' towns, districts or regions by capturing streamflows, building storages and managing the distribution of water.
Communities around the State sunk bores, brought in supplies by rail or water carts, enlarged local reservoirs or constructed temporary dams - and even set aside days to pray for rain.
Over the years, the traditional approach to managing drought was to build new reservoirs to meet increasing demand for water, spurred by population growth, dry spells and occasional drought. The last and largest of Melbourne's water storages, the Thomson Reservoir, was completed in 1984.
Public notice, January 1939. Source: La Trobe Collection, State Library of Victoria
In 1950, a bylaw was introduced under which any 24 hours could be declared a period of restricted water use. During these times, householders were banned from using garden hoses.
Since the 1960s, water restrictions have been introduced in dry years because of low streamflow into water storage reservoirs resulting in low storage levels.
In the severe drought of 1967-68, restrictions were introduced relating to the use of fixed sprinklers and hoses, as well as washing cars and filling swimming pools and fountains. People used buckets to water their gardens and even this practice was later restricted.
After the 1972-73 drought water restrictions were formalised. In 1975 the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works (Melbourne Water's predecessor) and the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission produced an eight-stage set of restrictions.
The 1982-83 drought affected most of eastern Australia, and sparked the Ash Wednesday bushfires, which burnt 13,000 hectares of Melbourne's water supply catchments , and caused massive dust storms.
In Melbourne, Stage 6 restrictions were introduced in February 1983. Since then, Victorian water authorities have worked to plan for drought and simplify restrictions.
In the early 1990s, drought-management guidelines were completed for non-metropolitan areas, and in 1995, drought response plans were completed for the newly formed metropolitan retail water companies. The plans included a four-stage restriction regime.
Water storage levels have steadily declined as the current ten-year drought continues to reduce streamflow into our water reservoirs. In March 2005, the Government introduced Permanent Water Saving Rules across Victoria and penalties for breaches.
We are currently on Stage 3a water restrictions.
If you would like to develop a garden which is more future proof please contact us.