22 January 2010
Rain eases storage decline
A week of good rain and lower water consumption has slowed the rate of decline in Melbourne’s water storages.
Storages dropped by 0.2% of capacity, which represents an overall decrease of 4.3 billion litres.
The major catchments received between 32.2 and 52.4 mm of rain during the week, with an average of 45.5 mm.
This was almost five times greater than the long-term average for the period, 9.6 mm.
While rain was well above average, inflow was limited by the dry state of the catchments.
The major reservoirs received 4.7 billion litres of inflow, which was 14% above the average of 4.1 billion litres.
Storages are now 36.7% (664.3 billion litres) full, compared with 33.9% (601.5 billion litres) at the same time last year.
The wet weather helped keep residential water use below the Target of 155 litres per person a day.
Melburnians used a daily average of 150 litres each.
More information on restrictions and tips on how to reach the target are available from Target 155 or by contacting the government water retailers.
Stage 3a restrictions and Target 155 are currently in place.
Links
Media Contact: Andrew McGinnes +613 9235 7277 +61 (0)403 930 846