12 August 2010
Biggest weekly rise in 10 months
Good rain on wet catchments saw storages jump by 1% of capacity in the past week - the biggest weekly increase since October last year.
The best week of the year saw storages make a net gain of 18 billion litres, banking just short of three weeks’ water supply for Melbourne.
Storages are now 10% of capacity ahead of the same time last year – an increase of more than 180 billion litres.
Rainfall for the week was one-third above the long-term average, with the major catchments receiving between 31 and 48mm of rain during the week, with an average of 39mm.
The 17 billion litres of water that flowed into the major reservoirs was much more in tune with the 30-year average.
This shows that the catchments are now better converting rain into runoff.
Any more rain in coming days and weeks is likely to result in further storage gains.
Melbourne households helped the storage boost by being smart with their water use.
We used an average of 134 litres each a day – well below the target of 155 litres each a day.
More information on restrictions and tips on how to reach the target are available from Target 155 [website no longer available, visit Office of Water for this information] or by contacting the government water retailers.
Stage 3 restrictions and Target 155 are currently in place.
Media Contact: Nicolas McGay +613 9235 2278 +61 (0)438 981 836