FARMERS north of Ballarat can carry over 20 per cent more unused water into the next irrigation season, after recent changes.The State Government has relaxed carryover rules, allowing farmers and Central Highlands Water to carry over any unused water up to 50 per cent of their water entitlement, up from 30 per cent.This applies to farmers in the Goulburn-Murray Water zone.Carryover was introduced in 2007, allowing farmers to keep their water if it was more valuable to them in the next irrigation season.Farmers previously lost any unused water at the end of the season.This sometimes led to ineffective water use late in the season.State Water Minister Tim Holding said the water increase gave irrigators more choice about when to use their allocations, particularly in the drought.Water carried over, plus next season's allocations, cannot exceed the full entitlement.Meanwhile, G-MW has released its 2009/10 seasonal allocations.It expects all water systems will have no seasonal allocation on July 1.The authority said water available next season would depend on winter and spring inflows.The authority has also begun consulting with its Water Service Committees to discuss pricing for next season.