5 June 2009
Light rain and savings ease storage decline
Low water use and light rain over the catchments have eased the rate of decline in Melbourne’s water storages in the past week.
Storages decreased by 0.3% of capacity (5.8 billion litres), which was slightly less than the falls seen in previous weeks.
The major catchments received 10 mm of rain, about half of the long-term average for the period (20.1 mm).
The 3.7 billion litres of streamflows into reservoirs were higher than they have been for a month, but still 36% below the long-term average (5.8 billion litres).
Storages are now 26.1% (462.6 billion litres) full, compared with 29.9% (530.8 billion litres) at the same time last year.
Residential water use continued to be low, with cooler weather helping Melburnians use 134 litres per person per day – well below the Target of 155 litres each a day, which we have now achieved for the 13th week in a row.
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