Melbourne's water providers have begun planning for a possible water crisis, as a new report suggests the city could start running out of water within a decade.
Melbourne Water analysed the effect of greater consumption caused by population growth, and the possibility of worsening droughts due to climate change.
It found, at worst, demand could outstrip supply by 2028, with the best case scenario seeing the city facing a water crisis within 50 years.
With Melbourne's population expected to double by 2065, the report said the community could expect to see more apartments and smaller blocks.
"Some of these changes can have a positive impact on water use, like using less water as homes become smaller, less outdoor water use in gardens, more efficient fittings installed at construction, and houses built to higher efficiency standards," it said.