6 November 2009
Rise persists, but rain and runoff below par
Water storages have continued to rise in the past week despite minimal rainfall in the major catchments and below average streamflow.
Water storages increased 0.4% of capacity, representing an overall boost of 5.9 billion litres.
The major catchments received between 3.0 to 13.2 mm of rain for the week, with an average of 9.6 mm.
The long-term average for the period is 24.8 mm.
The major reservoirs received 9.2 billion litres of streamflow, which was 28.1% below the average of 12.7 billion litres.
The weekly gain shows the catchments are still benefiting from last month’s rain.
However, the amount of water flowing into reservoirs is gradually decreasing.
Storages are now 38.1% (689.2 billion litres) full, compared with 33.7% (597.9 billion litres) at the same time last year.
Residential water use in the past week was back under the Target of 155 litres per person a day.
Melburnians used an average of 150 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