1 May 2009
Rain and low water use slow decline
A week of wet and cold weather has slowed the decline in Melbourne's water storages.
The major catchments received an average of 51.6 mm of rain over the past week - more than double the long-term average for the period (20.6 mm).
However, given the dry condition of the catchments, the 4.4 billion litres of streamflows into reservoirs was 7% below the long-term average for the period (4.7 billion litres).
As a result, storages decreased by 0.2% of capacity, which equates to 2.4 billion litres.
Storages are now 27.8% (493.6 billion litres) full, compared with 31.5% (557.6 billion litres) at the same time last year.
The wintry conditions helped keep residential water consumption to the lowest level since the daily Target of 155 litres per person began, with Melburnians using an average of 133 litres each a day in the past week.
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