1 May 2009
APRIL A MIXED MONTH FOR STORAGES
Melbourne's water storages received little more than half their normal streamflows in April despite above average rainfall over the catchments.
Rainfall over the major catchments was 13% above average but streamflows into reservoirs were 41% below normal, due in part to more than half (52 mm) of the April rain falling in the last week of the month.
Melbourne's water storages dropped by 23 billion litres, or 1.3% of capacity, ending the month at 27.8% full.
Manager of Water Supply Operations, John Woodland, said the disparity between rainfall and streamflows highlighted the dry state of the catchments.
"Due to the long-lasting effects of an extremely hot and dry summer, the soil in our catchments has not had the chance to become wet enough to generate the amount of streamflows needed to boost storages," said Mr Woodland.
"The late rain slowed the decline in storages toward the end of the month, but more is needed to help produce the runoff required to increase supplies.
"Our reservoirs are entering their natural low-point for the year, but we'd expect to see them start their recovery in winter, by which time Tarago Reservoir will be reconnected to the Melbourne water supply system, providing an additional 15 billion litres of water a year.
"Melburnians continued their great efforts in reducing residential water consumption, meeting the Target of 155 litres each a day, but we are continuing to see below-average streamflows so it's important to keep up the water-saving efforts," he added.
Total water use (including both households and industry) across Melbourne was down 7.8% compared with April last year.
KEY STATS AND FACTS – IMPACT OF APRIL ON STORAGES
- An average of 90.9 mm of rain was received over the four major catchments during March, compared with the 30-year average of 80.3 mm (13.2% above normal).
- Inflows into reservoirs in the four major catchments totalled 10.1 billion litres, compared with the 30-year average of 17.1 billion (40.8% below normal).
- Overall April consumption (all uses) decreased by 7.8% compared to April last year.
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