Restrictions unlikely
West Gippsland water customers look unlikely to face restrictions this year, with both Moondarra and Blue Rock water storage facilities at 100 per cent capacity. Gippsland Water has announced its annual water outlook forecasts that restrictions are...
West Gippsland water customers look unlikely to face restrictions this year, with both Moondarra and Blue Rock water storage facilities at 100 per cent capacity.
Gippsland Water has announced its annual water outlook forecasts that restrictions are unlikely this summer.
Three years of wet conditions from La Niña have contributed to the good health of the region's water sources and, despite a dry start to the year, recent rainfall has returned catchments to an average level of dampness, according to managing director Sarah Cumming.
Ms Cumming said Gippsland Water was confident water supplies would be secure over the summer season.
"Our water supply systems are in a good position heading into the new year," Ms Cumming said.
"Our largest water source, Moondarra Reservoir is 100 per cent full and spilled recently.
"Across our service area, other sources like our entitlement of Blue Rock Dam also sit at 100 per cent capacity.
"At this stage we believe restrictions are unlikely, even for smaller communities without large water storage facilities.
"Our recent acquisition of an annual 3.33 gigalitre bulk entitlement from Tarago Reservoir has also furthered water security for West Gippsland," she said.
Ms Cumming said the water outlook considered the Bureau of Meteorology's seasonal outlook, together with the last three years of La Niña, El Niño, as well as the positive Indian Ocean Dipole event.
"The combination of these conditions means Gippsland is likely to experience warm and dry conditions over the next few months," Ms Cumming said.
"We had a much drier start to the year and a significantly drier July to September.
"October provided a much needed reprieve, with the wet weather topping up our water sources just in time for the weather to heat up," she said.
"While we're confident we can meet demand, unforeseen circumstances such as extreme weather events can always impact water supply and we'll inform our customers if circumstances change," Ms Cumming concluded.
Permanent water saving rules continue to apply across Victoria.
