16 July 2010
Storages hit five month high
Higher than average rainfall and continued low water use saw storages climb to 35% this week.
Storages jumped 0.4% in the past week, gaining almost 6 billion litres.
The major catchments received between 30 and 68mm of rain during the week, with an average of 39mm.
This was 85% above the long-term average rainfall for the period of 21mm.
Despite the good rainfall, the 10 billion litres of streamflow that ran into the reservoirs was 24% below the average of 13 billion litres.
Storages are now 35.0% (633 billion litres) full, compared with 26.8% (485 billion litres) at the same time last year – a difference of almost 150 billion litres.
Melbourne households continued their water wise ways, keeping residential consumption to 135 litres per person per day.
This is 20 litres below Target 155, and the 18th week in a row that Melburnians have come in under the target.
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 3 restrictions and Target 155 are currently in place.
Media Contact: Nicolas McGay +613 9235 2278 +61 (0)438 981 836