Imagine a January so dry that it rivals records set over a decade ago. That's the reality for Ballarat and its neighboring towns, which are now facing some of the toughest water restrictions in recent memory. But here's where it gets controversial: as residents grapple with these measures, questions arise about long-term water management and the sustainability of relying on groundwater. Could this be a wake-up call for more innovative solutions?
Ballarat is currently experiencing its driest January in 13 years, with a mere 2mm of rain recorded so far in 2026. To put this in perspective, the last time January saw less rain was in 2013, with just 1.8mm over four days. The long-term average for January rainfall is a staggering 40.1mm, making this year's figures alarmingly low. And this is the part most people miss: the first two months of summer 2025/26 are projected to receive only a third of the average rainfall, compounding an already dire situation.
This dry spell follows a parched December, which saw just 27.4mm of rain compared to the average 49.7mm. As a result, towns north of Ballarat—Allendale, Broomfield, Kingston, Newlyn, Newlyn North, Smeaton, and Springmount—have been thrust into stage three water restrictions. These measures, implemented with immediate effect as of January 23, prohibit residents from watering lawns, washing cars at home, or filling fountains and water features, among other restrictions.
Central Highlands Water (CHW) explains that the combination of low rainfall and high demand on the shared Forest Hill groundwater supply has led to a critical drop in groundwater levels. But here’s the kicker: groundwater responds very slowly to rainfall, meaning recovery won’t happen overnight. This has sparked debate about whether current water management strategies are sufficient or if more radical approaches are needed.
The move from stage one to stage three restrictions, which began in November 2025, was deemed necessary to protect drinking water supplies. These towns rely on four groundwater bores for their water, and authorities warn that further restrictions could follow if conditions worsen. CHW managing director Jeff Haydon emphasizes the need for community support, stating, “Local efforts are essential while groundwater resources remain under pressure.”
What’s particularly concerning is that groundwater levels have dropped to levels last seen during the millennium drought, which lasted from the late 1990s to around 2010. During that period, Ballarat’s water storage system was severely depleted, with Lake Wendouree even drying up and catching fire. In 2007, water storage levels plummeted to just 7.4%. However, this crisis led to the creation of the Goldfields Superpipe, which now brings water from the Goulburn River via Lake Eppalock. The Superpipe was reactivated in May 2025 after a six-year hiatus, but is it enough?
The stage three restrictions affect approximately 1200 households and include strict rules: no lawn watering, limited garden watering on alternate days (6am to 8am), bans on filling fountains or water features, and restrictions on cleaning hard surfaces. Pools and spas can only be topped up on alternate days, and vehicle cleaning is limited to essential tasks using buckets or commercial car washes.
Ballarat’s reservoirs are currently at 52% capacity, down from 57% this time last year, and they’ve dropped by 0.5% in the past week alone. This raises a critical question: Are we doing enough to future-proof our water supply? CHW is exploring options to connect to the Ballarat water network to reduce reliance on groundwater, but is this a Band-Aid solution or a step toward long-term resilience?
As residents adapt to these restrictions, Mr. Haydon acknowledges their efforts but stresses that stronger measures are needed. “The swift move to stage three restrictions is necessary to protect essential water supplies,” he says. But what do you think? Are these restrictions fair, or is there a better way to manage water scarcity? Let’s spark a conversation—share your thoughts in the comments below.
