Irrigation and drainage in the City of Melton
Updated November 2026
Irrigation puts water where plants need it. Drainage takes it away from where it does damage. On the basalt clays of Melbourne's west, both matter. We pass your request to a local landscaper who works your suburb. We are a referral service, not a landscaping business.
Irrigation
- Drip zones under mulch for garden beds. National 2026 guides put a single-zone drip system at about $725 to $2,000 ex GST.
- Pop-up sprays for lawns.
- Automatic multi-zone systems with a controller covering front and back. About $2,275 to $5,450 ex GST on the same guides.
- Rainwater tank connections for garden use.
The best time to lay irrigation is before the turf and mulch go down, so plan it as part of a whole-yard job.
Water supply
Your water comes from Greater Western Water. Check Greater Western Water's current guidance on outdoor water use before setting a watering schedule. Greater Western Water lists some newer estate stages, at Eynesbury for example, for recycled water as well as water and sewer. Ask whether your property has a recycled water supply and what it can be used for in the garden.
When a plumber is needed
Connecting irrigation to the mains water supply, and installing a backflow prevention device where one is required, is plumbing work, and plumbing work in Victoria must be done by a licensed plumber. Ask the landscaper which parts of your job are plumbing work, who will make the connection, and whether they work with a licensed plumber.
Drainage
The basalt clays found north and west of Melbourne shrink and swell with the seasons, which engineers describe as damaging to light structures and buried services. Water ponding against a house, behind a wall or under paving is the usual cause of trouble. Common fixes:
- Subsoil (agricultural) drains in wet lawns and beds
- Drainage behind retaining walls
- Surface drains and grates at the edge of paving
- Regrading levels so water runs away from the house
Falls and drainage have to send water somewhere legal, and a connection to the stormwater system may need a licensed plumber. Ask before the trench is dug.
Before anyone digs
Irrigation and drainage trenches cross the paths of underground services. A free Before You Dig Australia (BYDA) enquiry should come first.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a plumber to install irrigation?
For the connection to the mains supply and any backflow device, yes, that is plumbing work. Ask the landscaper which other parts of the job are.
My lawn stays wet for days after rain. What can be done?
Often subsoil drainage, better soil, or regrading. The landscaper will look at where the water is coming from before quoting.
Can I use recycled water on the garden?
Only if your property has a recycled water supply. Check with Greater Western Water what recycled water can be used for at your address.
Can drip irrigation go under synthetic turf?
It is not needed for synthetic turf. Drip is for garden beds and plants.