30 June 2009
DAMS HAVE SECOND-DRIEST START TO YEAR
The reconnection of Tarago Reservoir provided the only real boost to storage levels in what has been an extremely dry first half of the year for Melbourne’s storages.
Between 1 January and 30 June, Melbourne’s major catchments received 258 mm of rain, which was 42% below the long-term average.
As a result, reservoirs only received about half (64.1 billion litres) of their average inflows for the first six months of the year – slightly better than the record low set in the first six months of 2008. The third-lowest inflow figure for the first half was in 1967.
Despite a 22 billion litre boost from the reconnection of Tarago Reservoir and lower water use, storages dropped from 34.9% at the start of the year to 26.0% at the end of June.
Manager of Water Supply, John Woodland, said storages normally recovered in the second half of the year but would have a lot of ground to make up before next summer.
“The reservoirs have now had their two poorest starts to the year on record, back to back,” he said.
“These latest figures show the importance of diversifying our water sources with desalination and savings from irrigation upgrades, as well as more recycling and ongoing water conservation.
“With the reconnection of Tarago, Melbourne now has a total of 470 billion litres of water in storage. This will help see us through until the rest of the major water projects come online, but we need to keep saving to maintain a healthy buffer,” added Mr Woodland.
Melbourne households have now achieved Target 155 for 16 weeks in a row.
DRY START TO WINTER – IMPACT OF JUNE 2009 ON STORAGES
- An average of 59.6 mm of rain was received over the four major catchments during June, compared with the 30-year average of 106.1 mm (43.8% below normal).
- Inflows into reservoirs in the four major catchments totalled 14.6 billion litres in June, compared with the 30-year average of 39.3 billion (62.8% below normal).
- Overall June consumption (all uses) dropped by 2.9% compared to June last year.
STORAGE COMPARISON TO RECENT YEARS (as at 30 June)
- 2008: 29.5%
- 2007: 30.7%
- 2006: 48.0%
- 2005: 52.2%
Media Contact: Nicolas McGay +613 9235 2278 +61 (0)438 981 836