LATE JANUARY RAINS WELCOME AFTER A HOT MONTH
2 February, 2006
Melbourne's water storages are 55.9% (990,846 million litres) full today. This is a decrease of 0.4% (6,967 million litres) from last week and 3% lower than at the same time last year when storages were 58.9% full.
Melbourne's four major water catchments - the Thomson, Upper Yarra, O'Shannassy and Maroondah - all received some welcome rainfall during the week, recording between 11.8mm and 26.3mm of rain.
Water consumption for the week was slightly below the summer daily average. Melburnians used an average of 1,368 million litres per day for the period 26 January - 1 February 2006.
Some late rain towards the end of January saw our water storages record between 70% and 155% of their long-term averages for the month.
The Thomson Reservoir recorded 46mm (70% of long term average) for the month, Upper Yarra: 65.4mm (105% of long term average), O'Shannassy: 60.2mm (92% of long term) and Maroondah: 101.6mm (155% of long term)
Water consumption for January 2006 was 47,526 ML, which was 4.76 percent below the five year (2001-2005) average of 49,900 ML.
During the hotter, drier months we need to be especially mindful to use water wisely, particularly in the garden, to help preserve our most precious resource.
Take a shorter shower, use water efficient products and follow Melbourne's Permanent Water Saving Rules.
For more information about how you can help conserve water, visit www.ourwater.vic.gov.au [website no longer available, visit Office of Water for this information]