What is Target 155? What am I being asked to do?

Target 155 introduces a target of 155 L/person/day for residents in metropolitan Melbourne. The program is implemented in conjunction with Stage 3a water restrictions.

How can I achieve the target?

Most households can achieve the 155 L/person/day target by adopting three key water saving measures:

• Fitting water efficient showerheads – available from water retailers for free via the showerhead exchange program.
• Reducing shower time to four minutes.
• Using greywater or rainwater to water gardens.

How do I calculate how much water I use so I can work out what to save?

To estimate how much water you use each day, check your water bill and divide the average number of litres used each day (in the graph) by the number of people living in your house.  You can also regularly check your water meter.

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How much water are Melburnians currently using?

In September 2009, Melburnians have averaged 139 L/person/day.

As Melburnians exceeded target 155 during the hotter months, we need to continue to beat the target during the cooler months. We still need to bank more water in our dams ahead of summer and come under the target average of 155 litres per person per day over the year. 

Why introduce a personal consumption target? Why don’t we just go to Stage 4 water restrictions?

The Target 155 program offers residential customers more flexibility.

The target approach, in conjunction with 3a water restrictions, still provides residents with some choice on how they save water, as opposed to Stage 4 which bans all outdoor watering.

A household may choose to invest in a water efficient washing machine to achieve further water savings around the home while continuing to use a dripper irrigation system within Stage 3a watering times (remember only to water the garden if it is absolutely necessary).

Under Stage 4 water restrictions, this flexibility isn’t available as all outdoor watering is banned. It is important that we all work hard to avoid this.

Do 3a water restrictions still apply?

Yes – full Stage 3a water restrictions still apply. 

Does Target 155 mean I can water my garden at any time?

No, we remain in Stage 3a water restrictions.

This means that the current 3a rules remain in place.

If your usage is over 155 L per person per day you can choose to save water in a range of different ways, including shortening your shower or fitting water efficient showerheads (these are available from water retailers for free via the showerhead exchange program).

Why did we introduce Target 155?

During 2009, Melbourne’s water supplies have been at the lowest levels since the Thomson Dam was built in 1983. This is a result of consistently lower than average rainfall and inflows in recent years.

Even if we receive good winter rains, our catchments are likely to be at very low levels in and summer 2009-2010.

A personal water target is an effective alternative to harsh Stage 4 restrictions, delivering water savings while protecting jobs and community assets.

Reducing water use by achieving the target will help sustain our water reserves until new water supply projects for Melbourne come on line.

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Why aren’t we going to Stage 4 water restrictions instead?

Water demand estimates indicate that a 155 L/person/day residential water use target would, if successful, achieve similar water savings to those expected under Stage 4 restrictions for households.

The Target 155 program offers residential customers more flexibility.

Residents can choose how they achieve the target.

A household may choose to invest in a water efficient washing machine to achieve further water savings around the home while continuing to use a dripper irrigation system within Stage 3a watering times (remember only to water the garden if it is absolutely necessary).

Under Stage 4 water restrictions, this flexibility isn’t available as all outdoor watering is banned.  

What are the benefits of not going to Stage 4?

By not going to Stage 4, we will avoid significant job losses in commercial sectors severely impacted under Stage 4 water restrictions.  These sectors include the nursery and garden industry as a result of garden watering bans; and the car wash industry resulting from bans on potable water use for car washing (excluding use for safety purposes).

It will also prevent the cancellation of outdoor sports competitions due to safety concerns if alternative water sources are not available and prevent detrimental effects on many residential gardens.

What are businesses (industry) being asked to do?

All customer segments have a role to play in saving water.

Businesses using more than 10 million litres of water per year are already required to have a water management action plan (waterMAP).

The water industry has introduced a business support program.  The Support 155 program encourages further water savings by businesses, including those using less than 10 ML/year. Already, over 3500 business premises have signed up

The Support 155 program is:

• A call to action to assess water use around each business and implement savings.
• Supported by a web registration process, to commit to achieving savings.
• Implemented in conjunction with the existing waterMAP program for customers using 10ML/year or more.

What about people who are unable to meet the target due to circumstances beyond their control?

We understand some customers might need to use more than 155 L/person/day for reasons such as medical needs like dialysis.

What about dwellings that are not individually metered?

Not all dwellings are individually metered (usually apartment blocks).

These customers will not have access to individual water use information.  Individual water calculators are available to these customers so that they can record and track their usage against the target.

Visit your water retailer’s website to access a calculator.

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