Sportsgrounds during water restrictions
What are council sportsgrounds doing to save water?
Councils currently have three water saving solutions available to them including:
- '1 in 4' watering arrangement
- Water allocation scheme
- Recycled water
'1 in 4' watering arrangement
Under a '1 in 4' watering arrangement, each council rationalises their sportsgrounds. This means that one in four is selected to be watered. Water used on the sportsground needs to be reduced by 25 per cent, in accordance with a water conservation plan, that has been submitted by each council to their water utility.
Why are one in four sportsgrounds still permitted to water?
It is important that we keep our community sport going while still cutting back the amount of water that we are using.
Council/schools sportsgrounds - fact sheet (PDF 67KB)
Council/schools sportsgrounds - water conservation plan (PDF 79KB)
Exempt playing surfaces - fact sheet (PDF 88KB)
Exempt playing surfaces - sportsground application (PDF 93KB)
Water Allocation for Sports Facilities
The Water Allocation Scheme allows councils to use the same volume of water they have used under the '1 in 4' watering arrangement for sportsgrounds, but they can choose when and where to use this water to the greatest community benefit. Our goal is to help councils keep a great number of public facilities in operation during drought while still saving water.
A water allocation can only be used by councils to irrigate sports facilities. It cannot be used to irrigate parks, gardens or public open spaces.
Recycled water
Yarra Valley Water is currently supplying councils within its catchment with free Class A recycled water for the irrigation of public open spaces such as sporting ovals, parks and gardens. To make an enquiry or for more information on applying, please contact Yarra Valley Water on 13 1721.
Water allocations for sports grounds (PDF 589KB)
Water allocations for sports grounds - frequently asked questions
(PDF 115KB)
What else are councils doing to save water?
Councils have been quite innovative in their water saving efforts. Harvesting rainwater, installing recycled water tanks and working with their water utilities to obtain recycled water fit for purpose while also working on the development of Water Conservation Plans.