ID :
204789
Thu, 09/01/2011 - 16:40
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http://m.oananews.org//node/204789
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Melbourne dams highest levels since 1998
Melbourne households are unlikely to see new water-saving campaigns any time soon, as the highest dam levels in more than a decade point to an easing of water restrictions by summer.
The city's dams stood at 61.9 per cent of capacity at the end of August, up from 54.5 per cent at the start of winter following good rain and reduced water consumption.
Winter storages were last at those levels in 1998, when consumption during that period averaged 1143 megalitres a day.
This year, average daily consumption in winter was 944 megalitres.
Victorian Water Minister Peter Walsh said it wasn't necessary to bring back the successful Target 155 water-saving campaign introduced by the former government, which urged consumers to limit their household water use to 155 litres each day.
"I don't believe that we need Target 155. I think you'll find that Melbourne water customers are responsible in their water use," Mr Walsh told reporters on Thursday.
"I don't think you'll ever go back to where you'll see people hosing down their driveways all the time, whether there's rules about that or not."
He said stage two restrictions would be reviewed at the end of spring.
If good inflows to dams continue, there will be "every possibility" restrictions will be further reduced to permanent water-saving measures, he said.
"My expectation would be that at the end of spring we can lift water restrictions," Mr Walsh said on Thursday.
Rules on permanent water-saving measures are currently being reviewed by water companies.
Retailer Melbourne Water said while the winter rain was welcome, warmer and drier conditions in August had an immediate impact on storage levels. Rainfall at the major catchments was 30 per cent below the long-term average and runoff into major dams 18 per cent below average.
The O'Shannassy reservoir is 100 per cent full, but the Thomson dam, which is Melbourne's drought reserve, is only at 48.3 per cent of capacity.
Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews questioned why the Target 155 program had been scrapped.
"Why wouldn't you continue to support families and households to keep saving water," he said.
The city's dams stood at 61.9 per cent of capacity at the end of August, up from 54.5 per cent at the start of winter following good rain and reduced water consumption.
Winter storages were last at those levels in 1998, when consumption during that period averaged 1143 megalitres a day.
This year, average daily consumption in winter was 944 megalitres.
Victorian Water Minister Peter Walsh said it wasn't necessary to bring back the successful Target 155 water-saving campaign introduced by the former government, which urged consumers to limit their household water use to 155 litres each day.
"I don't believe that we need Target 155. I think you'll find that Melbourne water customers are responsible in their water use," Mr Walsh told reporters on Thursday.
"I don't think you'll ever go back to where you'll see people hosing down their driveways all the time, whether there's rules about that or not."
He said stage two restrictions would be reviewed at the end of spring.
If good inflows to dams continue, there will be "every possibility" restrictions will be further reduced to permanent water-saving measures, he said.
"My expectation would be that at the end of spring we can lift water restrictions," Mr Walsh said on Thursday.
Rules on permanent water-saving measures are currently being reviewed by water companies.
Retailer Melbourne Water said while the winter rain was welcome, warmer and drier conditions in August had an immediate impact on storage levels. Rainfall at the major catchments was 30 per cent below the long-term average and runoff into major dams 18 per cent below average.
The O'Shannassy reservoir is 100 per cent full, but the Thomson dam, which is Melbourne's drought reserve, is only at 48.3 per cent of capacity.
Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews questioned why the Target 155 program had been scrapped.
"Why wouldn't you continue to support families and households to keep saving water," he said.
