19 June 2009
No rain to make most of wetter catchments
Virtually no rain fell over the major catchments in the past week, failing to capitalise on the good falls of the previous week.
The catchments received just 2.3 mm of rainfall, much lower than the long-term average for the period, 22.3 mm.
Consequently, the 3.6 billion litres of streamflows into the major reservoirs was well down on the average for the period (8.6 billion litres).
With catchments wetter from 40 mm of rain a week prior, the dry week was a missed chance to boost storages.
However, low consumption continued to slow the decline in storages, which dropped by 0.1 % (2.4 billion litres) of total capacity.
Storages are now 25.8% (456.6 billion litres) full, compared with 29.4% (522.1 billion litres) at the same time last year.
Melburnians achieved the Target of 155 litres each a day for the 15th week in a row, using an average of 136 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