The city came second to Sunbury and Macedon, according to the latest water-use figures, which showed Ballarat residents used 147 litres per person per day in 2009.

Sunbury and Macedon used 145 litres per person per day, which was Ballarat's figure for 2008.

Melbourne followed Ballarat, using 154 litres per person per day, down from 162 litres in 2008.

Bacchus Marsh came fourth, with 165 litres in 2009.

The worst culprits were Swan Hill residents, using a whopping 412 litres per person per day, and Shepparton, using 411 litres per person per day.

This is more than double Ballarat's daily use.

Central Highlands Water communications and marketing manager Wendy Stubbs said Ballarat was on stage 4 restrictions for 2008 and most of 2009.

She said dropping to stage 3 on November 1 may have caused the slight drop on the 2008 results.

"We were on two months of stage 4e with outdoor watering before we eased restrictions,'' Ms Stubbs said.

"We obviously think the people of Ballarat and district have done a great job, after being on stage 4 restrictions for three years."

CHW is holding an open day at Kirks Reservoir Park on March 21 to celebrate World Water Day.

The open day, which will be held between 10am and 4pm, will include a variety of free activities.

There will also be the opportunity to see the Goldfields Superpipe and the new mini-hydro power station.

For bookings, call CHW on 5320 3100.