12 March 2010
Storage gain below expectations
Seasonal factors stifled runoff from recent storms, with under 3 billion litres added to Melbourne’s storages on the back of heavy rain.
The major catchments received an average of 65.3mm (427% above normal). This delivered a net increase of 2.7 billion litres to reservoirs in four days.
Though well above average for March, the amount of water flowing into the major reservoirs was limited by the relatively dry soils in the catchments.
By comparison, a similar amount of rain over four days in October 2009 delivered a net storage increase of 15 billion litres – 5 times more than this week’s storms.
This contrast shows how rain when the catchments are already wet (especially in winter and spring) delivers much more than isolated downpours in warmer months.
Storages are now 34.7% (628.9 billion litres) full, compared with 30.2% (536.0 billion litres) at the same time last year – a difference of more than 92.9 billion litres.
The wet weather helped keep residential water use low, with Melburnians using 133 litres each a day.
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.
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Media Contact: Andrew McGinnes +613 9235 7277 +61 (0)403 930 846