23 January 2009
STORAGES DECLINE AS WATER USE SPIKES
Melbourne’s water storages have dropped and consumption has soared after a second consecutive week of no catchment rainfall and below average streamflows into the major reservoirs.
As the hot spell continued, storages decreased by 0.5% of capacity (8.4 billion litres) in the past week.
Reservoirs are now 33.8% (600.1 billion litres) full, compared with 37.7% (668.8 billion litres) at the same time last year.
There was no rain over the catchments, compared with the long-term average of 11mm for the period.
As a result, streamflows were more than 40% below average.
The hot weather saw residential water consumption spike to an average of 188 litres per person per day – the highest level since the Target 155 campaign began in December last year.
Total water consumption across all uses averaged 1,192 million litres a day.
More information on restrictions and tips on how to reach the target are available from Target 155 [website no longer available, visit Office of Water for this information] or by contacting the government water retailers.
Stage 3a restrictions and Target 155 are currently in place.
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Media Contact: Andrew McGinnes +613 9235 7277 +61 (0)403 930 846