22 May 2009
Little rain as storages shed 6.1 billion litres
Relatively dry weather over the past week has seen Melbourne’s water storages drop by 0.3% of capacity.
The 6.1 billion litre drop in storage levels came after a third consecutive week of little rainfall over the major catchments.
An average of just 5.8 mm of rain fell over the major catchments, which was more than 70% below the long-term average for the period (21 mm).
Consequently, streamflows were well down on historical levels, with the main reservoirs receiving 2.5 billion litres of runoff - 45% below the longterm average for the period (4.5 billion litres).
Storages are now 26.8% (474.5 billion litres) full, compared with 30.6% (541.9 billion litres) at the same time last year.
Melburnians met the Target of 155 litres per person a day for the 11th week in a row, using an average of 140 litres each 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