Melbourne: Key findings

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

  • Total annual rainfall was above average, one of the few regions in Australia with high rainfall.
  • Storage volumes at 30 June 2020 were 66% full, the highest end-of-year level since 2015.
  • Total consumptive water use was 498 GL, around 3% less than last year.

Climate and water

Rainfall

Rainfall icon

952 mm

above the average of 861 mm

Streamflow

Streamflow icon

well above average

during first half of 2020

Storage

Storage icon

66% full

arrowpointingup

25% more than last year

Water use

Water sourced

Graph showing breakdown of water sources used in the Melbourne region. A total of 498 GL of water was used in the region in 2019–20. Surface water made up 72% of total water sourced. Desalinated water made up 24% and groundwater 4% of the water sourced.

Water supplied

Graph showing breakdown of water users in the Melbourne region. A total of 498 GL of water was supplied to users in 2019–20. 92% of total water supply was for the urban system. 7% was for individual users and 1% was for inter-region supply.

Water status

Entitlements

993 GL

total surface water and groundwater allocations

Water assets

1,884 GL

water assets at 30 June 2020

344 GL more than last year

Outlook

Increase

in storage expected during the 2020–21 year