00:00 This is a sponge.

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Imagine this sponge is the forested land around our reservoirs.

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After lots of rain, the land around our reservoirs is nice and damp.

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So when rain falls, it runs off the wet ground into the reservoir –

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helping to increase our water storages.

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We need consistent rain to keep the catchment damp.

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If we have less rain,

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the land around the reservoirs dries out.

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This means that when rain falls, it gets absorbed by the parched landscape

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and little runoff makes its way into the reservoir.

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This is called the sponge effect

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Climate change means we are experiencing warmer and drier weather with less rainfall.

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By combining water efficiency measures with regular orders from the desalination plant,

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recycled water and stormwater harvesting, we create a buffer in our water storages to

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ensure Melbourne’s water supply remains secure.

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Visit our website for more information.