Canberra: Key findings

For the water account period 1 July 2019–30 June 2020

  • Dry conditions resulted in very low streamflows across the region.
  • End-of-year storage was only slightly less than last year due to some rainfall relief in early 2020.
  • Total consumptive water use was 60 GL, around 5% higher than last year.

Climate and water

Rainfall

Rainfall icon

596 mm

below the average of 791 mm

Streamflow

Streamflow icon

below average

for most of the year

Storage

Storage icon

56% full

arrowpointingdown

3% less than last year

Water use

Water sourced

Graph showing breakdown of water sources used in the Canberra region. A total of 60 GL of water was used in the region in 2019–20. Surface water made up 98% of total water sourced. Groundwater made up 2% of the water sourced.

Water supplied

Graph showing breakdown of water users in the Canberra region. A total of 60 GL of water was supplied to users in 2019–20. 92% of total water supply was for the urban system. 8% was for individual users.

Water status

Allocations

82 GL

total surface water and groundwater allocations

Water assets

199 GL

water assets at 30 June 2020

4 GL less than last year

Outlook

Increase

in storage expected during the 2020–21 year