Dry conditions impact on regional water storages

Geelong’s water storages have entered March at a six-year low, while storages in Colac and Apollo Bay are as dry as they’ve been at this time of year since 2016.

Amid ongoing dry conditions – which has driven consumption up more than 10 per cent above average - Barwon Water is encouraging customers to use water wisely.

“It has been an extremely dry period, with low inflows to our storages and high demand,” Managing Director Shaun Cumming said.

“While our ongoing investments in alternative water sources and water efficiency initiatives are increasing the resilience of our system, we’d like customers to consider how they could use water wisely.

“There are simple measures people can take that each save a little, but if we all do them together can save us a significant amount.”

For some of Barwon Water’s key catchments, 10 of the last 12 months have seen below average rainfall. This has led to Geelong’s storages – which are contained in six reservoirs along the upper Barwon and Moorabool rivers – falling to below half full.

They entered March at 47 per cent - which is about 28 percentage points lower than at the same time last year.

The percentage drop is similar in Colac, which finished summer under 60 per cent for the first time in almost a decade.

The nine-year low is replicated in Apollo Bay, which has just experienced its third driest summer period in the past 50 years.

Storages have fallen under 50 per cent capacity – having last year ended February at 99.5 per cent full.

Residential demand accounts for 73 per cent of water use across the Barwon Water region, meaning household changes can have a significant impact.

By making simple changes inside and outside your home, like taking shorter showers, fixing leaks, washing with full loads and not watering your garden in the heat of the day, you can lower your water and energy bills, and help the environment.

The Permanent Water Saving Rules – which are uniform across Victoria – help to make sure we use all drinking-quality water wisely. www.barwonwater.vic.gov.au/pwsr

Home water-saving tips:

- Thirty per cent of home water use occurs in the shower – so showers can have a big impact on your water and energy bill. We recommend timing your shower with a four-minute tune! open.spotify.com/playlist 

- Changing from a single-flush to dual-flush, 4-star toilet can help you save up to 35,000 litres per year. If you have an older toilet, you can reduce the flush volume by placing a filled water bottle in the cistern.

- Front-loading washing machines save more water and energy than a top-loading machine. Barwon Water has a WaterSmart Washing Machine Rebate Program, which is now open: www.barwonwater.vic.gov.au/water-and-waste/saving-water/watersmart-washing-machine-rebates

- Choose efficient products – look at the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) rating to find water efficient taps, toilets, showerheads, dishwashers and washing ma

To contend with a warmer and drier climate, Barwon Water is investing in a variety of sources, including recycled water.

Storages are already supplemented by the Melbourne to Geelong Pipeline, with a major upgrade to be completed this year that will increase the capacity and expand the reach of the pipeline.

“With rainfall becoming less reliable, we will need to be more water efficient, fix leaks and consider new water sources to ensure our rivers flow, food grows, and our footprint is low,” Mr Cumming said.

Other key projects include:

Savings:

WaterSmart Business Program:

Supported by funding from the Victorian Government, large non-residential water users, such as councils, hospitals and aged care facilities, have saved more than 40 million litres of water since 2023 through data monitoring and audits. www.barwonwater.vic.gov.au/water-and-waste/saving-water/watersmart-business-program

Schools Water Efficiency Program:

Since 2012, more than 105 schools have together saved more than 1.48 billion litres of drinking water. www.barwonwater.vic.gov.au/community-and-education/teachers-and-students/swep

Sustainable Water Use Program:

Barwon Water is committed to saving 1,000 ML over 5 years by supporting our customers with programs, advice and information. We saved 202 ML through the program in 2023-24.

Smarts:

Smart Networks Program:

Barwon Water is on track to save five billion litres of water over 10 years by using digital meters to find and fix leaks faster. Trials in Marengo and Birregurra have already saved 45.4 million litres, with new leak detection technology to be introduced in Apollo Bay and Lorne in 2025/26.

Sources:

Integrated Water Management:

The use of climate-independent alternative water sources – such as recycled water and stormwater – feature strongly across 19 projects of varying scale. www.barwonwater.vic.gov.au/water-and-waste/integrated-water-management

Recycled water:

We’re delivering and planning a range of initiatives to supply residential, commercial and agricultural customers with fit-for-purpose recycled water. www.barwonwater.vic.gov.au/water-and-waste/recycled-water

Storage levels at Wurdee Boluc Reservoir.