Melbourne region
Overview: 2013–14
The Melbourne region is located in the southeast of mainland Australia and extends from the coastlines of Port Phillip Bay, Western Port Bay, and Bass Strait to the south; the Yarra ranges in the east; and the Great Dividing Range to the north and west. The region includes the Bunyip, Yarra, Maribyrnong and Werribee river catchments and also an area adjacent to the Werribee River catchment serviced by the Melbourne Water Western Treatment Plant.
Rainfall across the Melbourne region was average to below average during the 2013–14 year, except for bordering areas in the northeast and southeast. Slightly above average rainfall was observed during the winter across the region; however, this was not reflected in streamflows, most likely because of the generally dry soil conditions across most the region during the year. Annual streamflow in the Yarra and Bunyip rivers was below the long-term average, while the Maribyrnong and Werribee rivers recorded well below average streamflows throughout the whole year. Overall, decreased inflows into surface water storages were recorded during the 2013–14 year.
During the 2013–14 year, surface water continued to be the primary source of water supply, while groundwater was the secondary source for the region. Recycled water was a minor supply source and, due to the availability of surface water supplies, desalinated water was not ordered for the 2013–14 year.
The urban water supply increased marginally (2%) compared to the 2012–13 year. The volume received for urban water supply from the Thomson Reservoir for the year, 132,197 ML, was over five times that of the previous year.
Closing net water assets in the Melbourne region were 1,461,369 ML at the end of the 2013–14 year, compared to 1,445,709 ML at the end of the previous year. The storage volume decreased by 1,027 ML, but the inter-region claim on water increased by 20,938 ML. While the surface storage volume within the region decreased, the closing net water assets increased by 15,660 ML, due to the increase in inter-regional claim on water from the Thomson Reservoir and Lake Eildon into the region. For more information on the region's water assets, refer to Water accounting statements.
The key water account information for the Melbourne region during the 2013–14 year is presented in the following table. Information on the uncertainty associated with the volumes presented in the table is provided in the relevant sections of the account.
Contextual information
 | 2013–14 | 2012–13 | Long–term average |
| Rainfall: 845 mm | Rainfall: 726 mm | Rainfall: 865 mm | |
| For more detail on the Melbourne climate refer to Climate overview. | |||
 | Werribee River | Maribyrnong River | Yarra River | Bunyip River |
| well below average flows | well below average flows | below average flows | below average flows | |
| For more detail on streamflow in the Melbourne region refer to Water overview. | ||||
Water accounting statements
 | 2013–14 | 2012–13 | |
| Total water assets (as at 30 June) | 1,466,203 | 1,445,709 | |
| Total water liabilities (as at 30 June) | 4,834 | 0 | |
| Change in net water assets | 15,660 | 2,227 | |
| Closing net water assets | 1,461,369 | 1,445,709 | |
| The volumes are in megalitres. For more detail on water assets and water liabilities refer to Water accounting statements. | |||
Notes: supporting information
 | 30 June 2014 | 30 June 2013 | |||
| Total capacity | Volume | % of capacity | Volume | % of capacity | |
| 857,408 ML | 581,952 ML | 68% | 582,979 ML | 68% | |
| For more detail on surface water storage in the Melbourne region refer to Surface water store. | |||||
 | Total water abstracted | ||
2013–14 | 2012–13 | Recent activity | |
Surface water: 442,386 ML | Surface water: 436,625 ML | Water abstraction for urban water supply has increased. | |
| Groundwater: 14,414 ML | Groundwater: 15,478 ML | ||
| For more detail on water abstraction in the Melbourne region refer to Surface water store and Groundwater store. | |||
 | Total water supplied | ||
| 2013–14 | 2012–13 | Recent activity | |
| 415,436 ML | 408,878 ML | Modest increase in urban water supply. | |
| For more detail on the urban water system in the Melbourne region refer to Urban water system. | |||