Melbourne Water Restrictions – Safeguarding the Future

Since the 2006-07 drought, Melbourne water restrictions have been tough. While it has rained a bit since the onset of winter, Melbourne’s water storage dams are rising only slowly and are still only 40% full.

However water restrictions are not being eased, and we have to accept that living in a dry continent will require water saving measure to guarantee our future.

Here is an update of the latest water storage levels.

In 2006, Melbourne experienced one of the worst droughts on record. It was scary with practically no rainfall in September and October, – when these months should have been the wettest in the year. It was also hotter than usual and the summer months did not bring any relief either.

Throughout the summer regional Victoria suffered extensively from the drought and bush fires. Life in Melbourne was made miserable by dead nature strips, dust, and dying trees.

Rainfall from May 2006 to May 2007, was just over 300mm, less than half the annual average, and the lowest on record.

Because of this, water restrictions have been tightened and elevated to level 3A in April 2007. Here are the details of the stage 3 water restrictions.

At this point we are still feeling ambivalent, although spirits are somewhat up: Since June, it has been raining, - but not enough. Rainfalls are not back to how they used to be, and Melbourne is now in for long term water restrictions.

An interesting fact: flushing toilets typically adds up to about 25 per cent of all water used. So, even when traveling you can contribute by not wasting precious water down the toilet.

Here is an interesting list of morewater saving tips.

Keep an eye on this site for water restrictions throughout the year.

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