3 July 2009
Rain ineffective as storages resume drop
Storages have resumed their decline after a week of below average rainfall and minimal streamflow.
After a 22 billion litre boost from the reconnection of Tarago Reservoir last month, storages then fell by 0.2% of capacity (3.8 billion litres) in the past week.
The drop came as 21.1 mm of rain fell over the major catchments, below the average for the period, 31.5 mm.
The intermittent rain had little effect on the dry catchments. The 3.4 billion litres of streamflow into the major reservoirs was 73% below average (12.6 billion litres).
The catchments need persistent rain before we see a sustained increase in storage levels.
Storages are now 26.0% (470.6 billion litres) full, compared with 29.6% (524.2 billion litres) at the same time last year.
Residential water consumption was low. Melburnians used an average of 130 litres each per day – the 17th week in a row that Target 155 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