27 November 2009
Storages plateau despite good rain
Water storages have stayed steady at 37.9% full over the past week, despite good rain over the major catchments.
Between 18 to 40 mm of rain fell over the major harvesting catchments, with an average of 28.4 mm.
This was above the long-term average for the period (18.8 mm), but streamflow into the major reservoirs was well down on historical levels.
The 6 billion litres of streamflow was 36% below the average for the period, 9.4 billion litres.
This shows that the catchments had been left fairly dry by the recent heatwave.
Storages are now 37.9% (687.0 billion litres) full, compared with 33.8% (598.5 billion litres) at the same time last year - a difference of 88.5 billion litres.
Residential water consumption was lower than the levels seen in recent weeks but still above the Target of 155 litres per person per day.
Melburnians used 166 litres per person per day over the past week.
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.
Links
Media Contact: Andrew McGinnes +613 9235 7277 +61 (0)403 930 846