An updated water security outlook shows the region’s urban water storages are in a good position heading into 2024.
Goulburn Valley Water’s Annual Water Outlook, published last week, shows the outlook for the next two years is secure in the short term, despite an overall warming and drying climate.
The report indicates there is generally a very rare likelihood of water restrictions over the next 12 months, resulting from wetter catchments and strong position of water storages following the October 2022 floods.
Bureau of Meteorology and Agriculture Victoria predictions both indicate drier and warmer conditions over the next three months, in line with the expected conditions under the El Nino event.
All of Goulburn Valley Water’s off-river storages are currently sitting at 90 per cent capacity or above, with these storages generally responsible for supplying water in areas like Kilmore, Mansfield, Alexandra and Euroa during warmer months, when the water authority can’t source directly from rivers.
In the central Shepparton region and north towards Cobram, most towns source water direct from the Murray River, which has a very high reliability of supply.
Goulburn Valley Water, GVW, managing director Steve Capewell said while short-term supplies were secure, GVW was working towards proactive long-term reliability options.
“Our region is experiencing significant population growth which leads to increased water demand, and longer-term climate projections show that we are more likely to experience declining water availability and more frequent and severe droughts,” he said.
“To balance increases in demand in areas where our supplies are particularly rainfall dependent, we’re investing in our infrastructure and forward planning to ensure we can continue to supply our services sustainably.”
The outlook reflects GVW’s Urban Water Strategy, which outlines actions and improvements to ensure the security of water supplies for the next 50 years.
Major projects highlighted by the strategy include new opportunities for recycled water use, supporting water efficiency initiatives, completing upgrades at our treatment plants to cater for future growth and exploring options to secure the long-term water supply.
While storage levels remain high, people are encouraged to still follow the permanent water-saving rules to ensure water use remains sustainable into the future and minimise water wastage.
Ways to save water include using automatic watering systems or sprinklers between 6pm and 10am, using a broom to clean hard surfaces, washing your car with a bucket and using a leak-free hose fitted with a trigger nozzle.
People can find updated storage information on GVW’s water resources page, along with a copy of the full outlook.
