Gippsland Water has relaunched its annual Reduce your use campaign amid extended periods of hot weather that are placing increased pressure on water supply systems across the region.
The campaign comes after recent heatwave conditions drove a sharp rise in demand, highlighting the role of customer behaviour in managing peak water use and protecting long-term supply reliability.
Managing director Sarah Cumming said the timing of the campaign reflects the operational challenges utilities face during sustained heat.
“During the extended period of heat in early January and earlier this week, we saw demand increase significantly across our service area,” Cumming said.
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Why heatwaves strain water systems
Periods of extreme heat typically increase household and business water use, particularly for gardens, cooling, and hygiene.
For regional water utilities, these spikes can strain treatment plants, pumping infrastructure and storage levels, increasing operational risk during peak periods.
Demand management campaigns play an important role in moderating usage during critical periods, helping maintain service reliability without the need for emergency restrictions.
How customer behaviour supports system resilience
Gippsland Water’s Reduce your use campaign focuses on simple, repeatable actions that collectively reduce demand during hot weather.
Cumming said that following permanent water-saving rules, fixing leaking taps, and limiting showers to four minutes can all make a measurable difference.
“These actions help reduce the strain on our systems during hot weather and also safeguard our precious water for generations,” she said.
The utility said permanent water saving rules provide a consistent framework for mindful water use year-round, rather than relying solely on short-term restrictions.
Community engagement beyond the campaign
Alongside digital and media outreach, Gippsland Water will engage directly with customers at local events over the coming months.
The utility will attend the Wellington Sustainability Festival in Sale on Saturday, March 14, to share practical water-saving advice and run community engagement activities.
Gippsland Water said combining education, visibility and consistent messaging helps reinforce long-term behaviour change rather than short-lived responses to heat events.