Data model
The core entities returned by the Water Restrictions API and how they relate to each other.
Areas
An area is a geographical location, such as a town, city, or region, where water restrictions can apply. Each area is associated with a scheme defining the available restriction stages, and reports the restrictions that currently apply to it. Areas may also be linked to an organisation.
Schemes
A scheme is a defined set of restriction stages that can be applied to one or more areas. Multiple areas can share the same scheme while each being at a different stage based on local conditions.
Stages
Stages represent restriction levels within a scheme, typically increasing in severity (e.g. Level 1, Level 2). Each stage has a severity value used for ordering and comparison. As conditions worsen, an area may move to a higher stage, or vice versa. Stage descriptions are returned in Markdown format.
Organisations
An organisation is the body responsible for managing water restrictions across one or more areas, typically a local council or water entity.
Restrictions
A restriction is the level that applies to an area for a restriction type (only residential exists today). Each area response carries a restrictions collection with one element per type.
Each element carries the current restriction: the scheme and stage that apply, when they came into effect (effectiveFrom), and whether they were detected automatically (isAutoDetected). If the area's restriction has changed, the element also carries the previous restriction, naming the scheme and stage the area moved from. Upcoming changes are reported separately as scheduled changes.
Scheduled changes
A scheduled change represents a future restriction change for an area. It includes the target stage and the date it takes effect. Scheduled changes go through an approval workflow: they can be pending, approved, or cancelled. Only approved changes that haven't yet taken effect represent confirmed upcoming restrictions.
AI detection
Entries can be created automatically by monitoring official sources and analysing content with AI. The createdBy field indicates the source: "AI" for automated detection, "Human" for manual entry. See how it works for more detail.