21 May 2025
In response to unseasonal prolonged dry conditions, Stage Two water restrictions will be introduced in Euroa and Violet Town from Wednesday 28 May 2025.
Goulburn Valley Water has determined the measure is needed to safeguard supplies and ensure the system has sufficient water until storages recover.
The Euroa area has experienced a very hot and dry summer, followed by one of the driest starts to autumn on record. Storages have declined to their lowest level since 2019, falling to below 20 per cent during May – compared to 77 per cent at the same time last year.
Acting Managing Director Daniel Flanagan said the stage two restrictions are aimed at best managing storage levels and ensuring that the wider community is using water efficiently and wisely.
“We have held on as long as possible to limit the impact restrictions will have, but unfortunately we are unable to avoid this transition any longer”.
“The continued dry conditions have had a significant impact - increasing town water use and reducing stream inflows into our storages. This is during what is normally a period where storages are allowed to recover. As the area is acutely aware, we just haven’t had the autumn break we so desperately need”, Mr Flanagan said.
“We’ll cart drinking water to Euroa and Violet Town to supplement supply when restrictions begin, and work with the Strathbogie Shire Council to supply alternative water for parks and sporting reserves. We will also continue to closely monitor storages, usage trends and rainfall forecasts, with an eye to lifting restrictions as soon as we can. However, it is important to note that we may need to escalate restrictions if the dry conditions continue.”
Euroa and Violet Town storages are harvested solely from the creeks fed by the Strathbogie Ranges. This makes the water supply vulnerable during extended dry periods in summer and autumn.
Goulburn Valley Water has invested in storage improvements in Euroa in recent years, constructing an additional storage. The storage came into use late last year and was ready to be filled at the start of autumn. Unfortunately, Goulburn Valley Water was not able to harvest any water to fill it due to low creeks flows. This storage will be filled when creek flows reach a level that allows harvesting.
Forecast growth, and a changing climate, means more investments will be made to maintain reliable long-term supplies in the area in the future.
What do stage 2 water restrictions mean?
The key changes under Stage 2 water restrictions are:
- 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 watering can at any time, on any day.
- Use of watering systems is only permitted between 6am and 8am and 6pm and 8pm on alternate days, i.e. even and no numbered properties may water on even dates, odd-numbered properties may water on odd dates. All properties may water on the 31st of the month. (Councils and schools can water sports grounds and gardens in accordance with the prescribed times.)
- Cleaning windows, hosing down hard surfaces and washing vehicles is restricted.
Please note, restrictions do not apply to recycled water or tank water.
The very dry conditions have had impacts across the wider Goulburn Valley Water region.
Several towns across the service area are supplied with water harvested from rain-dependent rivers and streams.
Water storages in these systems are at record low levels – about 60 percentage points lower than at the same time last year.
Residential demand accounts for the majority of water use, meaning reducing household water use can have a significant impact.
By making simple changes inside and outside the home, like taking shorter showers, fixing leaks, washing with full loads and not watering gardens in the heat of the day, customers can lower water and energy bills, and help the environment – every drop counts.
For more information visit www.gvwater.vic.gov.au/restrictions or call 03 5832 4800.