Company prays for rain

By Melissa Meehan
YARRA Valley Water says rainfall of biblical proportions will be needed in order to stop water restrictions continuing for another two years.
However, the chances of rain falling of such large proportions look bleak as the rainfall reports from Warburton showed rainfall over January to be below average, and Healesville to show a slight increase from the previous year.
The rainfall in Warburton was only 54.5 millimetres and this figure was largely made up of the 43mm of rain which fell on 21 January. The average for the month was 78.7mm, below average once again.
The rainfall in Healesville recorded 73mm over five days of the month but again 58mm of the total recorded which fell on 20 January.
Compared to 66.7mm at this time last year, Healesville recorded a slight increase in the average rainfall for the month.
Managing director of Yarra Valley Water and industry spokesman Tony Kelly said that Stage 3a water restrictions will be in place until the end of June 2008, at which time the situation will be reviewed.
“Storages are currently at 37 per cent full, 7.7 per cent above the trigger level for Stage 4 restrictions.
“By remaining in Stage 3a rather than Stage 4, we are minimising the impact on industries affected by water restrictions, protecting jobs and allowing community events such as sport to continue,” Mr Kelly said.
Mr Kelly said that that Melbourne had achieved significant savings under Stage 3a with water consumption dropping by 16 per cent in 2007 compared to the previous year. “With that said, we would encourage customers to continue saving water and will continue to support them doing so,” he said.
“Victoria remains in severe drought and water conservation practices must remain an everyday part of life.”
Melbourne’s storage dams continue to decline and hold only 659,272m.ltr which is 37.2 per cent of capacity. This time two years ago they were at 56 per cent capacity.