Stay water wise with Target 150
Make every drop count
Melbourne’s population is growing, but our water supply isn’t.
Although 12 years has passed since the last severe Australian drought, water remains a precious resource. Population growth and climate change are placing greater pressure on our water supply and we are using more water than rainfall alone can replenish.
Victoria has had permanent water saving restrictions since 2011 to manage our drinking water effectively long-term. These include rules such as not watering gardens and lawns between 10am and 6pm.
Melbournians are already great water savers, using the same amount of water we did in 1980 even though our population has doubled. But with a growing city and drier climate, we need to do even more.
Target 150: Saving for our future
Target 150 is a water efficiency program from the state government, implemented by metropolitan water corporations. It encourages us to limit our water usage to below 150 litres per person, per day.
Currently, the average person uses approximately 161 litres per day. That’s just one bucket away from reaching our target.
You can make a difference and save on your water bill by considering where you currently use water and how you can be more water efficient. Our collective action would have a significant impact, reducing urban water consumption by around 4 billion litres per year.
Not sure where to start? Read through some community tips or start with our examples:
- Cover your garden in mulch to significantly reduce soil evaporation
- Use the eco wash setting on appliances
- Shave off a minute from your shower
- Fit your shower head and taps with water-savings fittings
- Catch tap water while you’re waiting for it to warm up and use it water plants
- Fit your hose with a trigger nozzle.
Help make every drop count, aim for Target 150 in your household. Find out what else you can do to reach Target 150.
What is Council doing?
We all have a part to play. For Council, that looks like Water for Bayside, our Integrated Water Management Plan 2024-27.
Water for Bayside provides clear direction for managing water as a precious resource, and considers climate change, cultural heritage, water management processes, and community demand. Read Water for Bayside: Integrated Water Management Plan 2024-2027.
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