Coliban Water is reminding residents to reserve water this summer, with rainfall at its storages only at about half of the long-term average.
In an announcement on December 8, Coliban Water said this resulted in inflows of just more than five gigalitres to its storages on the Coliban River.
This is about a third of the median inflow that it has received over the same period since 1975.
Executive general manager strategy Anna Lamont said despite the drier conditions, previous wet years mean the water resource position is good.
“We’ve had three years where rainfall was significantly above average,” she said.
“To put that into perspective, the average annual rainfall is around 710 mm at Malmsbury, and last year we recorded [more than] 1100 mm of rain.”
“As a result, our storages on the Coliban River are at 94 per cent of capacity [and] we’re holding 98 per cent of our share of Lake Eppalock.
“We have received 100 per cent allocation for our surface water entitlements in the regulated Goulburn, Murray and Campaspe systems managed by Goulburn-Murray Water.”
The local conditions are replicated around the country, with Bureau of Meteorology data showing October rainfall was 65 per cent below the 1961-1990 average.
With expected hot and dry summers ahead, Ms Lamont reminded residents to monitor their water use.
“We have a range of resources on our website to help our customers save water, including our popular smart gardens for a dry climate booklet.
“We’ve also created a drip saving tips page and we’re encouraging customers to contribute their favourite ways of saving water.”
