25 September 2008
ANOTHER POOR WEEK FOR STORAGES
Melbourne’s water storages have had another disappointing week with only a small increase due to below average runoff and increasingly warm weather.
Storages are now at 34.4% (610,408 million litres) full after rising by just 0.17% (or 3 billion litres) since last Thursday. This compares with 39.6% (702,470 million litres) last year, a difference of 92 billion litres.
There was some good rainfall in parts of the catchments, with an average of 24mm received, but warm and windy conditions reduced runoff from the increasingly dry soil to a third of the long term average.
Average daily water consumption remained fairly steady at 998 million litres per day, which is roughly 50 million litres a day higher than consumption during August.
Stage 3a restrictions are in place until at least 30 November 2008. Further details on water restrictions are available by visiting the Our Water Our Future website or by contacting the government water retailers.
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Media Contact: Andrew McGinnes +613 9235 7277 +61 (0)403 930 846