22 May 2009
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY ON YARRA CONTINGENCY
Melbourne Water will complete a detailed risk assessment on the Yarra River to determine possible impacts of taking more water for urban supply.
The assessment is part of broader environmental studies to investigate temporary supply options in case Melbourne’s reservoirs fail to recover during winter and spring.
West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority will simultaneously investigate the potential impacts of taking more water from the Thomson River.
Managing Director of Melbourne Water, Rob Skinner, said record-breaking climate conditions were taking a toll on rivers as well as reservoirs.
“Since unprecedented low-flows in 2006 we’ve seen a continued decline in rain and runoff across our catchments. These conditions have intensified the challenge of balancing urban water needs with environmental ones,” he said.
“The Yarra has been the major contributor to Melbourne’s water supply for decades, but we’ve had to rely on it more as reservoirs have fallen.
“We understand there is passionate feeling towards the Yarra and we recognise the huge importance of this iconic waterway.
“We already monitor the Yarra very closely and while it’s showing some inevitable signs of stress, its basic health is holding. The independent assessment we’re doing will look at possible risks to the river’s ecosystem if environmental flows are lowered further.”
Mr Skinner said Melbourne’s reservoirs were about to enter the traditional filling period, from June to November, when they were expected to rebound.
“Melbourne still has a significant amount of water in storage and our wettest months are now in front of us. Nonetheless, we need to look at options to ensure we maintain a comfortable buffer ahead of the major water projects coming online.”
Melbourne Water will make a recommendation to Government about environmental flows in the Yarra based on the scientific findings of the assessment and tracking of storage levels in coming months.
Melbourne’s storages currently hold 473 billion litres and are at 26.7% of total capacity. The reconnection of Tarago Reservoir, which will add an additional 15 billion litres per annum to Melbourne’s water supply, is due in mid-2009. Along with the Sugarloaf Pipeline and Wonthaggi Desalination Plant, Tarago is one of three projects to secure Melbourne’s water supplies long-term.
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