National Water Account 2019

South East Queensland: Key findings

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

  • Total annual rainfall was below average for the fourth consecutive year.
  • End of year storage dropped to 65% full, the lowest in more than 10 years.
  • Water use was 416 GL, more than 10% higher than last year, reflecting the dry conditions.

Climate and water

Rainfall

Rainfall icon

746 mm

below the average of 1,049 mm

Streamflow

Streamflow icon

below average

for most of the year

Storage

Storage icon

65% full

Downward pointing arrow indicating decrease in storage

22% less than last year

Water use

Water sourced

Graph showing breakdown of water sources used in the South East Queensland region. A total of 416 GL of water was used in the region in 2018–19. Surface water made up 93% of total water use; groundwater made up 6% of total water use; and desalinated water made up 1% of total water use.

Water supplied

Graph showing breakdown of water users in the South East Queensland region. A total of 416 GL of water was supplied to users in the 2018-19 year. 87% of total water supply was for the urban system and 13% was for individual users.

Water status

Allocations

557 GL

total surface water and groundwater allocations

Water assets

1,673 GL

water assets at 30 June 2019

Downward pointing arrow indicating decrease in storage

467 GL less than last year

Outlook

Decrease

in storage expected during the 2019–20 year