Strong September Helps Storages Close Gap

3 October 2009

Strong September helps storages close gap

Biggest boost since July 2007
Water use down 6% on September last year
Storages at a 25-year low for October

Strong rainfall and good runoff during September have helped Melbourne's storages make up some lost ground in an otherwise dismal year.

Reservoir levels rose from 28.4% to 32.9% but have nonetheless entered October at their lowest levels since 1984.

Manager of Water Supply, John Woodland, said September delivered a 79 billion litre boost to the city's reservoirs compared with a rise of just 25 billion in August.

"During winter, we saw very poor runoff into storages because the catchments were so dry," said Mr Woodland.

"Things improved in September, and the combination of above-average rain and reasonably wet catchments meant we finally saw large amounts of water flowing into storages.

Around 190 mm of rain fell over the major catchments during the month the first time catchment rainfall has been above average since April 2009.

Overall, September was the best month for storages since July 2007, when a one-in-30 year storm resulted in a 90 billion litres increase.

"It has been a really positive start to Spring, but we still have a long way to go," said Mr Woodland.

We're very conscious that modelling by the Bureau of Meteorology suggests a trend towards a drier and hotter than average summer, which makes it critical to keep saving water."

Storages are currently at 33.4% full (600.8GL) compared with 34.5% (611.8GL) at the same time last year. For the year so far, the amount of water flowing into Melbourne's reservoirs has been more than a third lower than normal.

IMPACT OF SEPTEMBER ON WATER STORAGES
An average of 188.9mm of rain was received over the four major catchments during September, compared with the 30-year average of 118.5 mm (58.9% above average).

Streamflow into reservoirs in the four major catchments totalled 86.7 billion litres (1.8% above average). This translated into a 78.8 billion litre net gain, after consumption.

Overall September consumption (all uses) decreased by 6% compared to September last year the equivalent of 60 million litres a day less.

Media contact: Andrew McGinnes, (03) 9235 7277 ; 0403 930 846


SOURCE: Melbourne Water