A Macedon Ranges town broke its daily water usage record last month.
Coliban Water said Kyneton set a new daily record on Thursday 8 January, with locals using 6.3 megalitres of water as temperatures climbed over 40 degrees.
Coliban Water managing director Damian Wells said the combination of record-breaking heat and the bushfire emergency in Harcourt created an unprecedented challenge for the region’s water network.
“It’s normal to see water use jump during a stretch of extremely hot days as people try to stay cool and hydrated and peaks during the afternoon and evening when residents water their lawns and gardens,” Mr Wells said.
“We were also supporting the bushfire response, including putting emergency management plans in place, working with the CFA to identify water sources like reservoirs and fire hydrants, and assessing and repairing damage to water and sewer infrastructure.”
To keep up with expected high demand, Coliban Water crews worked around the clock to ensure water treatment plants processed raw water into drinking water at increased rates.
“While we are unlikely to see water restrictions for urban customers this summer, if our water resource position does not improve restrictions may be necessary in some parts of the region next summer,” Mr Wells said.
Permanent Water Saving Rules apply in Victoria at all times. These rules include using a hand-held hose with a trigger nozzle, using drippers and sprinklers only between 6pm and 10am, and using a broom rather than a hose to clean hard surfaces.
“Simple things like a shorter shower, programming appliances to run outside peak times, choosing the half-flush button, and adequately mulching our gardens also help preserve our water supply, and save money too,” Mr Wells said.
“Looking at the data, the drying trend is a reality for our region and one we must prepare for.
“It’s important we’re ready for the increased demand created by warmer temperatures, lower rainfall patterns, and a growing population.”
Coliban Water’s three reservoirs near Kyneton have a maximum capacity of 69,390 megalitres and are currently at a combined 59 per cent capacity (41,071 megalitres), in comparison to this time last year, capacity sat at 65 per cent (45,017 megalitres).
The Kyneton storages are also below the seasonal average, according to Coliban Water.
