14 September 2009
Winter Rainfall Figures
New data from Melbourne Water's 130 suburban rainfall data has been released.
While some good falls were recorded during July and August, rainfall in the year to date is less than half of the annual average for most areas.
A summary of rainfall figures for Melbourne's suburbs - including analysis of what the rain meant for the city's water storages - is below:
- Inner Eastern Suburbs
- Inner Northern Suburbs
- Inner Western Suburbs
- North-eastern Suburbs
- Outer Eastern Suburbs
- Outer Northern Suburbs
- Outer Western Suburbs
- South-eastern Suburbs
IMPACT OF WINTER ON MELBOURNE’S STORAGES (as of 31 August)
| RAINFALL AND STORAGES | |
|---|---|
| Average rainfall over major catchments during winter 2009 | 304.2 mm or 92.6 % of long-term average |
| Storage levels on 1 June 2009 | 26.3% |
| Storage levels on 31 August 2009 | 28.4% |
| Total net increase in storages during winter 2009 | 2.1% of total system capacity or 48.2 billion litres ** (N.B. represents net increase, allowing for consumption during this time) |
| Storage low for 2009 (to date) | 25.6% on 24 June |
| Storage high for 2009 (to date) | 34.9 % on 1 January |
| Storage levels same time last year | 33.6% on 31 August 2008 |
| Streamflow into reservoirs (gross) |
|
| CONSUMPTION | |
| Average total daily water consumption for Melbourne | • Winter 2009 – 928 million litres per day • Winter 2008 – 951 million litres per day (N.B. represents bulk consumption across all uses) |
| Difference in total water use during Winter 2009 | • 2.5% or 23 million litres per day lower compared to 2008 |
** Increase of 48.2 Billion litres includes the effect of Tarago Reservoir storage coming on line as of 24 June 2009
Media Contact: Andrew McGinnes (03) 9235 7277; 0403 930 846