15 May 2009
Storages continue decline after dry week
A second consecutive week of virtually no rainfall over the major catchments has seen Melbourne's water storages drop by 6.5 billion litres.
The decline, equating to 0.4% of capacity, came after an average of 1.4 mm of rain fell over the catchments in the past week.
This was almost 90% lower than the long-term average for the period, 11.3 mm.
As a result, the 1.7 billion litres of streamflows into the major reservoirs was more than 50% below the long-term average for the period (3.7 billion litres).
Storages are now 27.1% (480.6 billion litres) full, compared with 30.8% (545.3 billion litres) at the same time last year.
Residential water consumption averaged 135 litres per person per day – the 10th week in a row the Target of 155 litres each a day has been met.
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