FOR the first time in four years, water restrictions have eased to Stage 1 from 2.

Premier John Brumby said Melbourne’s water storages were recovering well and expected to hit 40 per cent as a result of recent rain, water saving efforts by households and the Government’s major water projects.

Melbourne’s water storages are 39.9 per cent of capacity while at the same time last year they were 27.8 per cent full.

Mr Brumby said daily water use had dropped to 147 litres of daily water per person thanks to the Target 155 campaign.

Water Minister Tim Holding said stage 2 restrictions provide more flexibility.

“We still expect people to employ commonsense and not water during the heat of the day when a lot of water is lost to evaporation,” he said.

Stage 2 restrictions allows residents to use a hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, watering can or bucket to water gardens at any time, wash cars at home with a bucket or a high pressure water saving hose.

Residents can water gardens with a manual water system between 6-8am and 8-10pm on alternate days, with an automatic watering system between midnight and 4am on alternate days and fill spas and summer pools such as children’s inflatable play pools.

Households and businesses are able to apply for a 28-day exemption to establish new warm season grasses.