Urban regions: Overview

  • Average to wet conditions were experienced across most urban regions within southern Australia.
  • Storage volumes in South East Queensland ended 2021–22 at 86.5% after experiencing their lowest levels in more than 11 years in 2020–21.
  • As at 30 June 2022, storages were full in Canberra and nearly full in Sydney.

 

Climate and Water

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Rainfall across southern Australia during July 2021–June 2022 compared with historical records (1900–2022)

 

  • Average to above-average annual rainfall occurred across much of eastern Australia while over in Western Australia, rainfall was average to below average.
  • The urban regions of South East Queensland, Sydney and Canberra experienced very much above average rainfall with areas of South East Queensland receiving highest on record in 2021–22. In contrast, annual rainfall in Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth were average.
  • February 2022 was the wettest February on record for South East Queensland and March 2022 was the wettest on record for Sydney.

 

A map showing the location of the 6 urban regions in southern Australia. Line graphs for each of the 6 urban regions show the time series of percentage-full storage volumes between 1 July 2013-30 June 2022. South East Queensland storages at 30 June 2022 were 90% full, more than last year. Sydney storages were 97% full at 30 June 2022, similar to last year. Canberra storages at 30 June 2022 were 100% full, similar to last year. Melbourne storages were 87% full at 30 June 2022, higher than last year. Adelaide storages at 30 June 2022 were 50% full, slightly higher than last year. Perth storages at 30 June 2022 were 55% full, more than last year.
Percentage-full volume during 1 July 2010–30 June 2022 for urban region storages

 

  • Storage volumes in South East Queensland increased to from 58% to 90% during the 2021–22 due to experiencing it's 2nd highest annual rainfall on record, behind 1974–75.
  • Storage volumes in Sydney and Canberra remained full for all of 2021–22.
  • Storage volumes in Adelaide at 30 June 2022 were similar to the previous year.
  • In Perth, storage volumes increased from 42% to 55%.
  • In Melbourne, storage volumes increased and reached to the highest levels in last five years.

 

Water sources and supply

 

Total water sourced in the urban regions for 2021–22
Surface water Groundwater Desalination Inter-region inflow Total
Adelaide 77,346 43,768 5,323 98,535 224,972
Canberra 46,667 753 0 0 47,420
Melbourne 344,207 18,993 125,000 0 448,200
Perth 170,066 519,053 116,198 1,996 807,313
South East Queensland 312,524 15,265 12,714 0 340,503
Sydney 536,576 43,826 22,480 2,184 605,066
Total 1,487,386 641,658 281,715 102,715 2,513,474
% 59% 26% 11% 4%

 

  • Total water sourced by the urban regions was 2,513 GL.
  • Surface water made up 59% of total water supply and was the predominant source of water in all urban regions except for Perth.
  • In 2021–22, desalinated water made up 11% of total water supply which is similar to last year. The relatively high storage volumes during the year, meant urban utilities opted to reduce their reliance on desalinated water supply to meet urban demand.
  • Groundwater use remained similar to previous year.

 

Users of water in the urban regions for 2021–22
Urban system Irrigation scheme Individual users Inter-region transfers Total
Adelaide 167,288 11,178 46,506 0 224,972
Canberra 45,390 0 2,030 0 47,420
Melbourne 445,324 0 38,849 4,027 448,200
Perth 308,311 66,112 432,890 0 807,313
South East Queensland 317,395 0 23,108 0 340,503
Sydney 526,187 0 78,879 0 605,066
Total 1,809,895 77,290 622,262 4,027 2,513,474
% 72% 3% 25% >1%

 

  • 72% of total water supply in urban regions was used for the urban system.
  • Individual users, including the industrial, commercial and agricultural sectors, accounted for 25% of water supplied.
  • In contrast to other urban regions, more than half of Perth’s water supply was for individual users, primarily for agricultural use.
  • The National Water Account presents the volumes of water supplied to urban systems, irrigation schemes, and individual users for each region. The Bureau's National Performance Report focuses on water supplied to urban systems.

 

Urban water use

  • Total water sourced for the urban systems decreased slightly compared to last year, and is at its lowest level since 2016, reflecting wetter conditions and reduced water demand for most of the urban regions.
  • In Adelaide, inter-region water from the River Murray made up 52% of the total urban water supply, much lower than last year, while desalinated water made up only 4%, similar from the previous year.
  • In Canberra, total water source for the urban water supply system was approximately 8% less than the previous year, and 18% lower than 2020.
  • The contribution of desalinated water to the Melbourne urban water supply was the highest it's ever been; equal to last year.
  • In Perth, the increased surface water contribution from 20 GL to 60 GL in 2022, compared to the last two years, meant less desalinated water was required to meet urban demand.
  • Desalinated water in South East Queensland's urban water supply system was 35% lower than last year.
  • In Sydney, total water sourced was 526,187 slightly lower than last year.