Despite Record Rains In Some Areas, Melbourne Water Storage Still 65% Below Capacity

[hatrack]

Melbourne has got through summer with 83 billion litres more water in its dams than for the same time last year thanks to welcome rain, household water savings and flows from two major water projects.

Figures released on Monday - the first day of autumn - by Melbourne Water show that the catchments received 231mm of rain, the most summer rain in five years but still 34 per cent below average.

Water Minister Tim Holding said after 13 years of drought a wetter-than-average summer was a welcome relief. But he said with inflows still well below historical averages it was clear Melbourne could not rely solely on dams and needed a diverse range of water supply options for the future.

EDIT

Melbourne's water storages are currently 34.9 per cent compared to 30.9 per cent at the same time last year.

EDIT/END

http://www.smh.com.au/environment/water-issues/more-water-in-melbournes-dams-but-still-below-average-20100301-pc2z.html