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How it works

Keeping the API's information up to date is important — especially during dry months when restrictions can change quickly. Here's a little insight into how it gets updated behind the scenes.

Step 1: Monitoring sources​

👀 Monitoring is in place to track public sources of information from organisations for changes to water restrictions in supported areas.

These are primarily official sources like websites, media releases, or social media posts from those organisations.

Step 2: Manual verification​

🔎 When a change is detected, the source is reviewed manually to confirm if it's a real update (not just a formatting change or unrelated edit). Updates could be:

  • An area moving up or down a stage (eg. Level 1 -> Level 2)
  • Notice of an upcoming change to an area's stage
  • Less commonly, the water restriction rules of a stage changing

If there is a change, these are manually verified to check what it is specifically and for any supporting details like effective dates or affected areas.

Step 3: Updating the API​

📡 Once confirmed, the API is manually updated to reflect the new changes.

Timeliness​

Updates are usually made on the same day the change comes into effect, once verified.

Some areas are trickier to track and help from the community is appreciated. See how you can help.