WATER STORAGES CONTINUE TO DROP
13 January 2005
Melbourne's water storages continued to drop over the past week and are now at 60.2%.
Melbourne Water Acting Managing Director Grant Wilson said that although water storages continued to fall, this was to be expected during the summer months.
Melbourne's four major catchments received between 10mm and 16mm of rain over the past week.
Meanwhile, in a first for Victoria, Melbourne Water is funding a dedicated helicopter to fight fires in Melbourne's catchments if needed this summer.
The 1300-litre water bombing helicopter from Canada will be available for at least 14 weeks as part of the Government's commitment to suppressing bushfires and protecting Melbourne's water supply.
A major fire in Melbourne's catchments could contaminate the water supply with ash and silt and reduce the quantity of water flowing to reservoirs.
Melbourne's water storages for the week ending 13 January 2005 were 60.2% (1,067,427 megalitres) full. This is a decrease of 2,489 ML since last week (6 January 2005). The decrease represents 0.14% of total system storage capacity. For the same time last year (13 January 2004) Melbourne's water storages were 56.0% (992,697 megalitres) full. Stage 2 water restrictions are still in place in Melbourne. Permanent water saving measures will be introduced when Stage 2 restrictions are lifted.