Australian Drought Brings Restrictions, Plans For New Sources

To deal with the drought, Melbourne officials may be faced with the task of enforcing strict restrictions on water use which would include a total ban on watering gardens and grass. Another plan to help deal with the water shortage would be to expedite a plan to connect a nearby reservoir to Melbourne's water sources -- a project that was planned to take place in 2010. Scientists are predicting that restrictions on water use will need to be enforced by March.

"Stage four restrictions, which would include a total ban on watering gardens and lawns, would come into effect automatically when storages dropped to 29.3 per cent of capacity."

"'We are not planning for Melbourne to run out of water,' Mr Skinner said. 'The worst-case scenario is that Melbourne would get down to the extreme minimum operating level.'"

But all across the country, towns are facing water shortages and tight restrictions.

"There are 113 Victorian towns already on stage four restrictions, with Geelong set to join them within weeks."

"From next month, East Gippsland will become the only region in the state not on water restrictions when north-west towns along the Murray River move to stage one restrictions."