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Melbourne's water
storages are currently at:
41.9%
breakdown by reservoir
(you can click on each reservoir
for more information)
Thomson: 27.2%
Cardinia: 43.4%
Upper Yarra: 69.9%
Sugarloaf: 84.1%
Silvan: 88.9%
Tarago: 60.5%
Yan Yean: 54.6%
Greenvale: 66.6%
Maroondah: 100.0%
O'Shannassy: 100.0%
our water future
On this page:
Most of our water are collected in protected catchments high up in the Yarra Ranges, and stored in our reservoirs. We've relied on these reservoirs as our main source of water, for over a hundred years.
This is changing. The effects of climate change, drought and population growth means that we can no longer rely solely on from our reservoirs as our main source of water.
What is Melbourne Water doing to secure our water future?
Improving our dams and water pipes
Replacing an old 1800mm diameter pipe in Richmond
Upgrading and improving dams and pipes is an important way that we help to minimise leakages in our water supply system.
Did you know that new reservoirs do not create any new water? They simply take it from somewhere else - either from farmers who rely on it or from the environment.
If a new reservoir or dam was built for Melbourne, it would need to be filled with water that is currently used elsewhere. Such a reservoir would, for example, take water from rivers that are already stressed. This would affect the habitat of our native plants, fish and animals. It would also threaten the health of our rivers and creeks and our tourism and recreation industries.
We are constantly improving Melbourne's dams, pipes and infrastructure which are used to get the water to you.
Recycling water
Recycled water provides an alternative supply of water that is fit for a wide range of uses.
We are already recycling 23.2% of Melbourne's sewage at market gardens, parks, sportgrounds and in industry.
Paddocks at Western Treatment Plant are irrigated with Class C recycled water
About half of Melbourne's sewage is treated at the Eastern Treatment Plant and the other half is treated at the Western Treatment Plant.
At the Western Treatment Plant, paddocks are irrigated with recycled water. Recycled water has also replaced high quality drinking water at the Hoppers Crossing Pumping Station.
We are committed to upgrading the processes at the Eastern Treatment Plant to tertiary standard. Sewage will be treated to a level where a wide variety of uses is possible. The Eastern Treatment Plant will eventually produce over 100 million litres of Class A recycled water.
Reconnecting Tarago Reservoir
It's likely that there will be less water available from our catchments due to climate change. Therefore, we are re-connecting the Tarago Reservoir to Melbourne's water supply network.
The Tarago Project, is one of the many water supply projects we are carrying out. Once it is reconnected, the reservoir will be providing up to 15 billion litres of water a year to homes and businesses in the Mornington and Westernport area.
Other ways we are securing our water future
In May 2007, we brought Swingler Weir, in the Thomson Reservoir, back into service. The weir now diverts water directly to the Upper Yarra Reservoir from the Thomson catchment.
We also have a Drought Response Plan with the metropolitan retail water businesses. Copies of this plan are available from City West Water, South East Water or Yarra Valley Water.
What is the Victorian Government doing to secure our water future?
In June 2007, the Victorian Government announced the Our Water Our Future: Securing Our Water Future Together (PDF, 2.8mb) action plan. This action plan outlines a number of projects to secure Victoria's water supplies for the future.
The projects include:
- A desalination plant to provide water for Melbourne, Geelong, Westernport and Wonthaggi;
- Covering the irrigation channels in the Food Bowl in Northern Victoria. The water saved from this improvement are to be shared equally between farmers, the environment, and Melbourne
- Connecting Melbourne's water system with Geelong and connecting Hamilton to the Grampians Wimmera Mallee system, creating a Victorian water grid.
These projects will deliver a 50% boost to Melbourne's water supply within five years and allow water to be moved where it's needed most.
Water conservation
Rainwater tanks
Did you know that we have reduced our water consumption by 22% since the 1990s?
Water conservation helps secure our water future. Without the conservation efforts of Victorians, our water storages would have been much lower than they currently are, now.
It is important that we work together to continue turn our water conservation efforts into a habit, to help secure our future water supplies.