Metro weekly water update
| Target | Actual | |
|---|---|---|
| January water use to date | 3 billion litres | 3 billion litres |
| Dam storage levels | NA | 48% |
| Weekly streamflow into dams | NA | 44 billion litres |
| January rainfall to date | 16.7mm (Jan average rainfall 1994-2017) | 1.6mm |
| Note: 1 billion litres = approximately 400 Olympic swimming pools. Please note the figures in this table are rounded (except for rainfall) to the nearest whole number. | ||
Water use
Average water use over the past week was 973 million litres per day, which was below the forecast of 1,032 million litres.
Daily water use for the last 5 days
| Date | Actual water use (million litres) | Forecast water use (million litres) |
|---|---|---|
| 3/01/2020 | 928 | 1037 |
| 2/01/2020 | 991 | 1037 |
| 1/01/2020 | 984 | 1037 |
| 31/12/2019 | 968 | 1037 |
| 30/12/2019 | 983 | 1024 |
| Note, water use is calculated up to 8am each day for the previous 24 hour period. | ||
Since 1 July 2019, we have used 144 billion litres of water – which is around 7 billion litres over the forecast for this period.
Dam levels (total for 15 dams)
The dam storage levels have dropped slightly this week and are sitting at a combined 47.5 per cent* of full capacity.
*Please note some dams are filled from different sources - dam levels include the transfer of groundwater and desalinated seawater from treatment plants as well as streamflow (that comes from rainfall). As we use many different sources of water, dams are no longer an accurate indicator of the health of Perth's overall water supply situation.
Streamflow (total for 15 dams)
From 1 May 2019 the dams have received 44.1 billion litres of streamflow. The post-1975 average for the May to April period (called the streamflow year) is 183.9 billion litres.
Sprinkler roster compliance
The two-day a week sprinkler roster now applies. The two-day a week sprinkler roster now applies. Throughout 2019, we took a total of 9408 actions (warnings + fines) compared with 8684 actions for 2018.
Annual rainfall
Perth has received 1.60 mm of rainfall since 1 January 2019. The average (1994-2017) rainfall for the January period is 16.7 mm.
General water news
We are reminding everyone living in bushfire prone areas to not rely on scheme water supplies during a bushfire if you plan to stay and defend your home.
Water Corporation will do all it can to maintain scheme water during a bushfire but heat-damaged infrastructure, or a cut to power, may result in a loss of supply. High demand for water will also lead to a drop in water pressure and water supply tanks will empty quickly.
Residents who plan to defend their home in the event of a bushfire must ensure they have an independent water supply, and a pumping capability in the event of a total loss of power.
To find out how to prepare for a bushfire, including having an independent water supply, visit http://www.firechat.wa.gov.au
Contact: Clare Lugar
Position: Manager Media and Strategic Communications
Phone: (08) 9420 2555