Melbourne: Key findings

For the water account period 01 July 2021 - 30 June 2022

  • Total annual rainfall for the 2021-22 year was above average for the third consecutive year.
  • End-of-year storage was 87% full compared to 75% full the previous year.
  • Water taken for consumptive use was 363 GL, around 2% more than last year.

Climate and water

Rainfall

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867 mm

above the average of 861 mm

Streamflow

Streamflow icon

above average

for most of the year

Storage

Storage icon

87% full

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12% more than last year

Water use from all sources

Water sourced

Graph showing breakdown of water sources used in the Melbourne region. A total of 488 GL of water was used in the region in 2021–22. Surface water made up 71% of total water sourced. Desalinated water made up 26% and groundwater 4% of the water sourced.

Water supplied

Graph showing breakdown of water users in the Melbourne region. A total of 488 GL of water was supplied to users in 2021–22. 91% of total water supply was for the urban system. 8% was for individual users and 1% was for inter-region supply.

Water status of water resources

Water availability

2,956 GL

surface water available in 2021-22

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10% more than last year

Water accessible

430 GL

total surface water and groundwater accessible in 2021–22

slightly less than last year

Water taken

363 GL

total surface water and groundwater taken in 2021–22

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2% more than last year