1 September 2011
Dam gains fading as dry weather continues
Mild and dry weather to end winter has put the brakes on dam increases over the past week.
Storages made the barest of gains, increasing by 0.1% of capacity, representing a net gain of 2.8 billion litres.
The average of 4mm of rainfall at the four major catchments was more than 80% below the long-term norm (23mm), marking the third consecutive week of minimal rainfall.
Consequently, streamflow rates continued a downward trend. The major dams received 9.5 billion litres of streamflow.
This was close to half the average for this time of year (18.8 billion litres).
Looking ahead, if conditions remain dry in the coming weeks there’s a strong chance that storages will decline for the first time since April this year.
Water storages are now 61.9% (1122 billion litres) full, compared with 42.1% (763 billion litres) at the same time last year – a difference of 359 billion litres.
Melburnians used an average of 143 litres of water per person per day over the past week. This is 1 litre per day less than the previous week.
Information on water restrictions and tips on how to save water are available from the Office of Water 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