11 February 2011
Deluge delivers dam boost
Massive storms have continued the unseasonal string of summer storage gains, with storages rising 9 billion litres this week.
Though the nature of the storm saw the catchments receive less than parts of metro Melbourne, rainfall totals were still 440% above normal.
The major catchments received between 69 and 107mm - with an average of 82mm.
This compares with an average for the period of just 15 mm.
Total inflows into our major catchments (not accounting for consumption over the period) was almost 11 billion litres, which is 184% above the average of just under 4 billion litres.
Water storages are now 54.1% (980 billion litres) full, compared with 35.6% (645 billion litres) at the same time last year – a difference of 335 billion litres.
Melburnians used an average of 136 litres each a day over the past week, down 53 litres per day from last week.
Information on water restrictions and tips on how to save water are available from Our Water Our Future [website no longer available, visit Office of Water for this information] or by contacting the government water retailers.
Stage 2 restrictions are currently in place.
Media Contact: Nicolas McGay +613 9235 2278 +61 (0)438 981 836