Due to ongoing dry conditions, from Saturday 10 May Stage 3 water restrictions will be introduced in Apollo Bay, Marengo and Skenes Creek.

Barwon Water has determined this measure is needed to protect local water storages, which have continued to decline since the introduction of Stage 2 restrictions in early April.

While customers’ efforts have helped reduce water use, Apollo Bay has just experienced its driest 12 months from May to April in 86 years, and its second driest on record.

Storages sat at 25.6% on 7 May, compared to 96.5% at the same time last year.

General Manager Planning, Delivery and Environment Seamus Butcher thanked residents and visitors for their ongoing efforts to limit their water use.

“The Apollo Bay community has a great understanding of the need to use water efficiently and wisely, and we appreciate their efforts to conserve valuable supplies,” Mr Butcher said.

“Unfortunately, our storages continue to be impacted by this record-breaking stretch of low rainfall.

“The Stage 3 restrictions will help to manage demand, and we’re exploring a range of future options to maintain supply security should the dry conditions continue.”

Demand on local drinking water supplies is being reduced thanks to a new pipeline, which is delivering recycled water to the Apollo Bay Golf Club. This is irrigating the majority of the course with recycled water and will save millions of litres of drinking water annually.

Innovative improvements also helped to optimise the Apollo Bay Basin storage capacity in 2022, with an additional capacity of 21 million litres created.

Barwon Water has been spreading the word on sustainable water use and encouraging residents to use water wisely across ongoing community pop-ups in Apollo Bay.

Read more via Barwon Water's website