MOST sports grounds will not be watered as a result of the State Government’s introduction on 1 November of the Stage 2 water restrictions.
The restrictions follow one of the driest Septembers on record, with storage levels in catchments around Melbourne at 45 per cent and less.
Maribyrnong City Council said sports clubs had permission to water cricket wickets and baseball diamonds.
Council has applied to City West Water for restriction exemptions to the Whitten Oval and the Merv Hughes Oval.
Mayor Janet Rice said the exemption for Whitten Oval had to do with the present turf renovation program.
She said the council was taking a number of water-saving measures across the municipality.
“Our crews are doing more mulching around trees and pruning lower branches,” she said.
“We’re also watering by hand all the trees in parks and streets to make sure we don’t waste any water.”
People who don’t follow the restrictions can be fined.
City West Water had a number of water patrol officers ready to identify customers who breach the Stage 2 restrictions.
A spokesperson for the utility company said: “If a customer is seen breaking Stage 2 water restrictions, they will receive a letter in the mail reinforcing the water restrictions.
“If they are observed breaking the same restriction again they may receive a warning letter in the mail, and continued non-compliance could lead to having their water supply restricted or facing prosecution
“From January 2007, water patrol officerss will have the power to issue on-the-spot fines of $322. Before warnings or fines are issued, water patrol officers will be checking to see if the customer has an exemption, or a reason for breaking the restrictions.”
As part of Stage 2 restrictions, watering lawns is banned, hand-held hoses cannot be used to wash cars at any time, and owners of a new pool or spa of 2000 litres capacity must submit to a water conservation plan, and have it approved by their government water authority.
More details can be found at www.citywestwater.com.au.
