3 March 2008
SUMMER WATER USE AT LEVELS OF 82/83 DROUGHT
The Victorian Government has congratulated Melburnians for their water saving efforts over summer.
Water Minister Tim Holding said total water consumption from December to the end of February was at its lowest point since 1982/83 – one of the worst years of drought in the State’s history.
“We are continuing to keep water-use at all-time low levels, despite 11 years of drought,” Mr Holding said.
“Today we have around one million more people in Melbourne than we did in the early 1980’s yet we were able to cut total water consumption to levels last seen during the infamous summer of 1982/83 when we had the Ash Wednesday bushfires.
Melbourne used around 102 billion litres this summer compared with 111.8 billion litres at the same time last year - a reduction of nine per cent and 22 per cent lower than the average of the past five years.
Melbourne’s water storages are currently at 35.4 per cent. This time last year they were at 34.1 per cent or around 24 billion litres less.
Storage levels had been boosted by above-average rainfall in the city’s major catchments: Maroondah - 101.1%, O'Shannassy - 148.1%, Upper Yarra - 118.6% and Thomson - 99.8%.
“While rainfall across the four major catchments was 11% above average, combined inflows into the reservoirs were only just over half of the average over the last 30 years, largely due to the dry conditions in the catchments,” Mr Holding said.
Mr Holding said Stage 3a water restrictions – which weren’t in place last summer - had played a key role in keeping water use down during the warmer months.
“We understand restrictions are having an impact on some industries, residents and sporting clubs, but they are necessary due to the ongoing dry conditions,” Mr Holding said.
“It is crucial households continue saving water as they are responsible for 60 per cent of the water used from Melbourne’s catchments.”
Mr Holding said over 186,000 rebates had already been provided to Victorian households for installing water saving devices including rainwater tanks and water efficient shower heads.
“Households can claim rebates of up to $1000 for installing a rainwater tank plumbed into the house,” he said.
Figures released last week showed Melbourne recycled 22.5 per cent of its wastewater in 2006/07 – three years ahead of its 2010 target.
Mr Holding said while water conservation and water recycling are vital, these measures alone are not the long-term solution to Victoria’s water needs.
“We are getting on with the job of delivering our $4.9 billion water infrastructure projects to secure Victoria's water future, including a desalination plant, modernisation of irrigation infrastructure for our farmers and an expanded statewide water grid,” he said.
Under Stage 3a water restrictions:
- A manual dripper system, hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, a watering can and a bucket can be used to water gardens on specified watering days between 6am - 8am*.
- An automatic dripper system can be used to water as required on specific watering days between midnight - 2am*.
- Cars can be washed at a commercial car wash. A bucket filled from a tap can be used to clean windows, mirrors and lights; and spot-remove corrosive substances.
- One in four sports grounds can be watered. Councils must complete a water conservation plan and ensure water use on these sports grounds is cut back by an additional 25 per cent.
* Even numbered properties can water on Saturday and Tuesday; odd numbered can water on Sunday and Wednesday. People aged 70 and over can water between 8 am and 10 am.
Stage 3a water restrictions will remain in place in Melbourne until at least June 30, 2008.
For information on rebates or water restrictions visit www.ourwater.vic.gov.au.