National Water Account 2019

Murray–Darling Basin: Key findings

For the water account period 1 July 2018–30 June 2019

  • Total annual rainfall was well below average and the lowest in 15 years.
  • End of year storage dropped to 32% full, the lowest since 2010.
  • Water taken for consumptive use was 7,429 GL, 20% less than last year, reflecting the dry conditions.

Climate and water

Rainfall

Rainfall icon

310 mm

below the average of 459 mm

Streamflow

Streamflow icon

below average

for most of the year

Storage

Storage icon

32% full

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39% less than last year

Water use

Accessible water

Graph showing breakdown of sources of water lawfully accessible for take in the Murray–Darling Basin region. A total of 10,692 GL of water was lawfully accessible for take in the 2018–19 year. Surface water and groundwater made up 71% and 29% of total accessible water respectively.

Water taken

Graph showing breakdown of water users in the Murray–Darling Basin region. A total of 10,692 GL of water was lawfully accessible for take in the 2018–19 year. 62% of total water accessible was taken by individual users, 5% was taken for town supply, and 3% was taken under basic rights. 30% of the accessible water was not used.

* water accessible for consumptive use

Water status

Entitlements

19,622 GL

total surface water and groundwater entitlements

Water assets

12,692 GL

water assets at 30 June 2019

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4,578 GL less than last year

Outlook

Increase

in storage expected during the 2019–20 year