13 November 2009
Storages break even as water use spikes
Dry conditions and a sharp rise in water consumption have seen storage levels stay steady over the past week.
The major catchments received no rain for the week, compared with the long-term average for the period, 28.0 mm.
As a result, the 6.6 billion litres of streamflow into the harvesting reservoirs was almost half the average (13 billion litres).
This shows that the flow-on effects of the September and October rain are starting to wane.
Without further rain, storage levels are expected to decline over the next week.
Storages are now 38.1% (689.3 billion litres) full, compared with 33.5% (594.3 billion litres) at the same time last year – a difference of 95 billion litres.
The hot and dry weather saw residential water consumption soar above the target of 155 litres per person per day over the past week.
Melburnians used an average of 204 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