Today Melburnians turn onto Target 155 and turn the tap down to save more water than ever before, aiming to reduce the city's water use to less than 155 litres per person per day.

Stage 3a water restrictions will remain in place to support the Target 155 water saving campaign.

The State Government and Melbourne’s water authorities call on everyone to work together to ensure Melbourne has enough water until the major water projects start to come online from mid-2009.

‘While our residential customers have helped reduce water consumption by 36.5 per cent per person and businesses have saved over 38%, compared to the 1990s, Melbourne is facing severe water shortages. We need to act now to ensure that we have enough for the future.’

Managing Director Tony Kelly said December 1, the first day of summer, was an ideal time to start this new campaign; as the weather heats up, so does water use. 

Melbourne’s average summer water usage last summer was 180 litres of water per person per day, and by reducing this figure below 155 litres, Melbourne could avoid harsher water restrictions.

‘Target 155 is a personal target so it’s up to everyone to keep to less than 155 wherever they are: at the Gym, staying at a hotel, or with friends. That way we can keep the average to less than 155 litres per person per day,’ said Mr Kelly.

‘Target 155” combined with Stage 3a water restrictions is designed to achieve the same savings  as Stage 4 water restrictions, while also allowing  some garden watering, watering of 1 in 4 sports grounds and avoiding job losses in the car wash and nursery industries.’

‘With water storages lower than the same time last year and households using 60 per cent of Melbourne’s water it is crucial that we continue saving water.’

There is a dedicated “Target 155” website, and customers can also use a calculator on local water utility   websites to understand their water usage and ways in which they are able to stay on “Target 155”,’ Mr Kelly explained.

To work out household water usage read the water meter today, read it again at the same time next week and divide the amount used over the week by the number of people in the household. If the water meter is read at the same time each week households will be able to do a week by week comparison and see how they are progressing against the target.

The water utilities will also be working with their business customers on a “Support 155 Business Program” to encourage smaller businesses to take action, while larger businesses will continue to work on their mandatory Water Conservation Plans (referred to as WaterMAPs).

Over the past six years businesses have had phenonmenal results, with business water use reducing by a further 8 billion litres in the last financial year alone.

According to Mr Kelly, easy ways to save water in the home are shortening showers to four minutes and exchanging showerheads for free 3-star water efficient models.

‘Exchanging your showerhead through Yarra Valley Water’s, City West Water’s and South East Water’s free exchange program is easy and can save at least five litres per minute compared to an older style showerhead – combined with a four minute shower you’re already saving at least 20 litres every shower,’ Mr Kelly said.

Showerheads can be exchanged at Kiosks run by the water utilities at various local shopping centres- check with your local water utility for details.

‘Customers can also still claim a rebate for installing water saving products around the home such as rainwater tanks, dual flush toilets, and grey water systems.’

‘We encourage customers to continue to do their best to save water and we will continue to support them in doing so. Victoria remains in severe drought and water conservation practices must remain an everyday part of life.’

For more details on Water Conservation Kiosks visit www.yvw.com.au; www.citywestwater.com.au ; www.southeastwater.com.au ;