Canberra: Key findings

For the water account period 1 July 2020–30 June 2021

  • Total annual rainfall was above average for the first time in four years.
  • End-of-year storage was 100% full compared to 56% full the previous year.
  • Water taken for consumptive water use was 52 GL, around 14% less than last year.

Climate and water

Rainfall

Rainfall icon

1,128 mm

above the average of 794 mm

Streamflow

Streamflow icon

above average

for most of the year

Storage

Storage icon

100% full

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79% more than last year

Water use

Water sourced

Graph showing breakdown of water sources used in the Canberra region. A total of 52 GL of water was used in the region in 2020–21. 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 52 GL of water was supplied to users in 2020–21. 95% of total water supply was for the urban system. 5% was for individual users.

Water status

Allocations

84 GL

total surface water and groundwater allocations

Water availability

1,109 GL

surface water available in 2020–21

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13% more than average

Outlook

Increase

in storage expected during the 2021–22 year