From 15 January 2008 AlburyCity modified its existing Stage 3A restrictions to a Stage 3 model.

This follows an announcement from The NSW Minister for Water Utilities, Nathan Rees who said that pre-Christmas rain in the Southern part of the Murray Darling Basin had increased flows and water storage levels in the Murray and Murrumbidgee river systems.

What does this mean for residents?

You can water your garden (not lawns) for four hours, twice a week under the following conditions:

• Using a hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, or a watering can and/or bucket on your specified days and times (see table below).
• Use of a manual watering system (dripper only) on your specified days and times (see table below).
• Use of an automatic watering system (dripper only) on your specified days but only from Midnight to 4am.
• There is no watering on Monday, Thursday and Friday.
• Residential lawns cannot be watered with town water at anytime. However residents can use an approved greywater system.

Swimming Pools

You can top up swimming pools and spas using a hand held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle only on the designated watering days and during the specified times (which are the same as the garden watering days). In order to conserve as much water as possible, AlburyCity strongly encourages pool and spa owners to purchase and use a pool cover.

Conditions of Stage 3 water restrictions, such as washing cars, hosing hard surfaces and pathways will be updated shortly. In the meantime, please remain diligent by following the links below to help your household save water.

• Tips on Saving Water INSIDE and OUTSIDE the home
• Stage 3 Restrictions - Fact Sheet
• Stage 3 Restrictions - Definitions
• Grey Water - Fact Sheet
• Rainwater Tanks - Fact Sheet

Exemptions (only apply to commercial and industrial customers)

Under the conditions of Stage 3 water restrictions, some businesses/organisations may apply to AlburyCity for an exemption. In assessing what exemptions can be offered, applicants will need to demonstrate that an exemption;

1. Will result in less water being used than the applicant would otherwise be entitled to use for the same purpose under the prevailing stage of restriction, or
2. Is necessary to avoid any adverse effects on public health and safety, or 
3. Is necessary because of the special needs of the applicant, who would merely alter the hours between which water may be used, but will not increase the total number of hours of use, or
4. Will have a significant negative social, environmental and/or economic impact.

The extent of exemptions offered will vary depending on the type of use and the availability of water.

To apply for an exemption from any water restrictions you will need to;

(click on the links to download the relevant documents)

1. Complete an application form detailing what restriction(s) you are seeking exemption from.
2. Complete a Water Conservation Management Plan (WCMP) (use the templates to assist in writing your plan)

AlburyCity will review your application and either accept it, or recommend improvements. If the latter is the case, you will be required to respond to these comments. Once approved, AlburyCity will sign and return a copy of your WCMP for implementation.  Conditions of approval will be made clear on your approved plan.

Water Conservation Management Plan (WCMP)

A Water Conservation Management Plan must be included with any application to AlburyCity for exemption from Summer 3 restrictions.

For further information on completing your plan, please contact;

Mr Colin Johnson
AlburyCity Council
PO Box 323
ALBURY NSW 2640

Phone: (02) 6023 8170
E-mail

If you have any additional questions about AlburyCity water restrictions, please call AlburyCity's Customer Service Team
(02) 6023 8111.