9 July 2010
Wet catchments deliver despite little rain
Melbourne’s storages managed to post a 6 billion litre increase in the past week despite very little rainfall.
The major catchments received an average of just 3mm of rain – much lower than the long-term average of 25mm.
But flows into reservoirs stayed comparatively strong, as water from previous rain events continued to make its way through the 160,000 hectares of forest that feed our dams.
Total streamflow of 8 billion litres was nonetheless below average by 39%.
The 0.3% boost to storages since last Thursday was roughly in-line with the 10 year weekly average increase for winter.
Storages are now 34.6% (627.8 billion litres) full, compared with 26.5% (480.5 billion litres) at the same time last year – a difference of 147 billion litres.
Melbourne households helped storages hang on to their gains by coming in well under the water use target of 155 litres per person a day.
Melburnians used a daily average of 129 litres per day - 26 litres below the target. This is the 17th week in a row that we’ve met the target.
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 3 restrictions and Target 155 are currently in place.
Media Contact: Nicolas McGay +613 9235 2278 +61 (0)438 981 836