16 October 2008
STORAGES DECLINE SLIGHTLY TO 34.4%
Melbourne’s water storages have decreased for the first time since July, dropping to 34.4% of total capacity as unseasonably dry weather continued in the past week.
The four major catchments received an average of 0.8mm of rain, compared with the long-term average of 26.2mm for the period. Streamflows were also down, with 5.1 billion litres flowing into the reservoirs - 67% below the long-term average.
As a result, storages dropped by about 0.2% (1.8 billion litres) of capacity. At the same time last year the storages were 40.2% (712.7 billion litres) full.
Average daily water consumption was 1,060 million litres. This was 73 million litres more than the previous week, but much less than the 1990s spring average of 1,246 million litres a day.
Melbourne’s water authorities are encouraging four-minute showers and providing a free showerhead exchange program to help save more water ahead of summer.
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 no longer available, visit Office of Water for this information] website or by contacting the government water retailers.
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Media Contact: Andrew McGinnes +613 9235 7277 +61 (0)403 930 846