9 September 2010
Drenched catchments deliver 43 billion litres
Wet catchments made the most of good rainfall in a remarkable week for water storages, which increased by 2.4% of capacity.
The significant boost to dam levels represents a net gain of 43 billion litres – the equivalent of six weeks’ water supply for Melbourne.
With the catchments very wet from months of good rainfall, this week’s falls resulted in the highest rates of streamflow for the year.
The major catchments had between 37 and 95mm of rain (average 52mm), which was more than double the 30-year average for the period (24mm).
The 54 billion litres of streamflow into the major reservoirs was three times the average of 18 billion litres.
Storages are now 44.1% (799.9 billion litres) full, compared with 29.2% (528.4 billion litres) at the same time last year – a difference of 271.5 billion litres.
The wet conditions helped Melbourne households keep water use low, using a daily average of 134 litres per person per day.
This is the 27th week in a row that Melburnians have tracked under Target 155.
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 2 restrictions and Target 155 are currently in place.
Media Contact: Nicolas McGay +613 9235 2278 +61 (0)438 981 836