17 November 2011
Wet catchments make most of average rain
Average rain and the flow-on effects of a previous storm have combined to increase dam levels by 0.3% in the past week.
Much of the 5 billion-litre gain was attributed to runoff from last week’s storm, with average rainfall prolonging the increase.
The four major catchments had an average of 22mm, which is slightly below the norm of 24mm. The Thomson received the most rain, 25mm.
As a result, the Thomson received the lion’s share of the weekly streamflow.
The major dams had 12 billion litres of streamflow (7% above the long-term average), of which the Thomson received 4.7 billion litres.
With the catchments still relatively damp, any further rain in the coming week should sustain the storage increase.
Water storages are now 64.8% (1173.5 billion litres) full, compared with 51.3% (930.3 billion litres) at the same time last year – a difference of 243.2 billion litres.
Melburnians used an average of 146 litres of water per person per day over the past week.
This is 4 litres 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