Supplying water to Melbourne
In Melbourne, water is essential to our way of life. We’re lucky water is readily available - we just turn on the tap. But our water supply is limited. With a changing climate bringing hotter, drier weather, and less rainfall over time, Melbourne faces new challenges.
That’s why at Melbourne Water, we have been taking action. We are planning across 50-year time horizons to manage and protect this precious resource for our city.
Where does our water come from?
Historically most of Melbourne’s drinking water comes from a system of rivers and reservoirs. The desalination plant is now an integral part of the Greater Melbourne water supply system. Every day, we supply around 1,250 million litres of drinking water to over 5 million Melburnians.
Protecting our water supply for the future
By 2030, nearly six million people will need water every day, and as Victoria’s climate changes and rainfall declines, we know there are challenges. But there’s also a clear and active plan to protect our drinking water.
That includes desalinated water, The Victoria Water Security Plan, recycled water, and efficiency programs all working to ensure a secure, resilient and sustainable water future for generations to come.
At full capacity, the Victorian Desalination Plant can produce around one third of Melbourne’s annual water needs. It’s been used 8 out of the 10 past years and has delivered around half a trillion litres (or 500 billion litres) of drinking water!
Find out more about our desalination plant
We produce recycled water at our Eastern and Western Treatment Plants, which is used for a range of non-drinking purposes to help save water.
Highly-treated wastewater, which follows strict regulatory guidelines, can be used to water parks and gardens, and to irrigate crops.
Find out more about recycled water
We must keep looking to other water resources to supply more, ensuring we have enough water today, tomorrow and for generations to come.
Use water wisely
Everyone has a role in looking after our drinking water. By making every drop count and limiting our water usage to 150L per person per day, we can protect this precious resource, for today, tomorrow and for generations to come.
What can 150 litres of water typically look like?
A typical day of water use can add up quickly: a 4-minute shower uses about 32 litres, while four dual-flush toilet flushes use around 24 litres. Doing one load of washing in a front-loading machine adds another 50 litres to the tally and running the dishwasher on eco-mode adds about 10 litres. Drinking and cooking account for 10 litres and brushing your teeth twice a day, with the tap off, uses 2 litres. Even light garden watering contributes another 20 litres.
Together, these everyday actions highlight just how easily our water use accumulates.
