29 May 2009
Light rain ineffective on storages
A third consecutive week of minimal rain saw Melbourne's water storages drop by 6.1 billion litres in the past week.
Storages are now 26.4% (468.4 billion litres) full, compared with 30.3% (536.9 billion litres) at the same time last year.
The decrease of 0.4% of capacity came as the major catchments received an average of just 6.5 mm of rain, well below the long-term average for the period, 18.8mm.
With little rain falling on dry catchments, streamflows into the major reservoirs totalled 2.9 billion litres, compared with the long-term average of 5.2 billion litres.
Despite some unseasonably warm weather, residential water consumption continued to be low.
Melburnians used an average of 142 litres per person per day. This is the 12th week in a row we have met 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 or by contacting the government water retailers.
Stage 3a restrictions and Target 155 are currently in place.
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Media Contact: Andrew McGinnes +613 9235 7277 +61 (0)403 930 846