Vic: Water restrictions unlikely after January downpour

AAP General News (Australia)
02-17-2001
Vic: Water restrictions unlikely after January downpour

MELBOURNE, Feb 17 AAP - Water restrictions for Melbourne are now unlikely after heavy
rainfall over the Australia Day weekend boosted water supplies.

But continuing hot and dry conditions mean water restrictions could be extended throughout
rural Victoria.

Conservation and Environment Minister Sherryl Garbutt said water storage volumes across
the state decreased by 6.9 per cent in January.

Melbourne Water storages are now at 58.2 per cent capacity, while Rural Water Authority
levels are at 56.9 per cent.

But three catchments are less than 50 per cent full - Glenelg/Wimmera, in the state's
east, is at just 14.3 per cent.

Ms Garbutt said while supplies were slightly above levels at this time last year, water
conservation remained important to recover storage levels for next summer.

"Conserving supplies now may mean the difference between the need for restrictions
for next season," she said.

She said mandatory restrictions were in place in more than 100 towns throughout the state.

In the past month, seven towns in the state's south-west have been added to the list
of stage 1 restrictions. Restrictions have also been increased in Wedderburn and Korong
Vale, north-west of Melbourne.

Ms Garbutt warned continuing drought conditions could increase the number of restrictions.

AAP ce/jas

KEYWORD: WATER

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