Water Outlook
for Melbourne
 Melburnians are to be congratulated for
continuing
to
use
water
wisely
with
household demand over 20% lower than 10
years ago
 Investment in and adoption of alternative
water sources have complemented customer
behaviours
 While storages are slightly lower than this
time last year, the Melbourne water supply
system is well placed to deal with possible
warm dry summer weather ahead
 The Victorian Desalination plant remains
available to support water system security
 Restrictions are not required in Melbourne
this year but remember, Permanent Water
Use Rules are now in place. Contact your
water retailer for advice on best practice
water use.
1 December 2015
Water resource security is stable
Melbourne’s water storages have dropped slightly over
the past year and are at 71.9% of their capacity as of 25
November 2015 compared with 78.5% on 30 November
2014.
Chart 1 shows that at this level, water storage levels are assessed as
being in the High Zone. This means the existing water supply system,
which includes the Victorian Desalination Plant, can deliver at least five
years of water without storages entering the Low Zone under a range of
modelled climate and demand scenarios.
Water use has increased but per person use
remains steady
Chart 1 – Storage level on 25 November 2015
Melbourne’s water use has risen slightly compared with
recent years, partly attributed to a growing population.
Chart 2 shows that total water use in Melbourne has increased slightly
but remains lower than pre drought consumption levels. This outcome
has been influenced by increased population but is offset by water
efficient behaviours and investment in alternative water projects.
Chart 3 shows that total water use (i.e. residential, non-residential and
non-revenue water) on a per person basis has remained the same at 251
litres per person per day in 2014–15.
Chart 2 – Total water use in Melbourne
(gigalitres)
Residential water
Chart 4 shows that residential water use on a per person basis has
remained the same at 160 litres per person per day in 2014–15, which is
23% lower than pre drought levels.
The water retailers continue to provide water efficiency education and
advice to the community.
Chart 3 – Total water use in Melbourne
(litres per person per day)
Chart 4 – Residential water use in Melbourne
(litres per person per day)
Non-residential water
Non-residential water use includes water used by large and small
businesses, schools, universities, hospitals, parks and sportsgrounds.
Chart 5 shows that non-residential water use remains steady.
The steady water consumption in the non-residential sector can be
attributed to continued focus by customers on water efficiency.
Non-revenue water
Chart 5 – Non-residential water use in Melbourne
(gigalitres)
Non-revenue water is water that is not billed to customers. This includes
loss of water through water main bursts and leaks, water used for
firefighting and theft of water. Chart 6 shows that non-revenue water
use remains the same in comparison to previous years. The water
businesses continue to invest in proactive system leak detection to
ensure Melbourne’s level of non-revenue water remains among the
lowest in the world.
Mostly neutral rainfall outlook with warmer start
for summer
Chart 6 – Non-revenue water in Melbourne
The Bureau of Meteorology seasonal climate outlook
for the next three months indicates an equal chance of
wetter or drier conditions with a warmer start to
summer in southern Australia.
Temperature and rainfall influence water use, especially during summer
periods for watering gardens, parks, and sportsgrounds. At the same
time, rainfall and temperature also influence catchment moisture levels
and inflows to Melbourne’s storage reservoirs. The water businesses
continually monitor storage conditions and the Bureau’s seasonal
climate outlooks which are updated monthly.
Rainfall outlook – The Australian Bureau of Meteorology outlook for
rainfall (issued on 19 November 2015 – Chart 7) for the period from
December 2015 to February 2016 indicates that for Melbourne and its
water supply catchments, the chances of a normal season are more
likely.
Chart 7 – Seasonal rainfall outlook for December
2015 to February 2016
Temperature outlook – The Australian Bureau of Meteorology outlook
for temperature (issued on 19 November 2015 to December 2016 –
Chart 8) for the period from December 2015 to February 2016 indicates
that a warmer start to summer is likely for Melbourne and its water
supply catchments.
Chart 8 – Seasonal temperature outlook for
December 2015 to February 2016
Determining water security
Under a range of possible future streamflow scenarios and consumer demand assumptions,
Melbourne’s water storages are likely to be in the High Zone on 30 November 2016.
Predicting Melbourne’s future water storage levels is complex and uncertain. This is primarily because it is not possible to
accurately forecast the timing and extent of rainfall events and consequently the catchments’ runoff response to them up
to one year ahead.
The water businesses undertake modelling to assess possible future water supply system conditions based on a range of
inflow and demand scenarios. These include possible drought scenarios, water releases for environmental flows and
demand for water by the metropolitan retailers and the regional urban water corporations with entitlements to the
Melbourne system. Based on this analysis it is still likely that Melbourne’s water storages will be in the High Zone on 30
November 2016. Consequently, water restrictions are not required this year.
The Desalination Plant is available to help secure the supply of drinking water. A decision on whether the Plant should
operate in 2016/17 will be made by 1 April 2016.
Permanent Water Use Rules
Permanent Water Use Rules are currently in place for Melbourne.
Permanent Water Use Rules are currently in place across Melbourne. These rules require the community to use common
sense as part of their everyday use of water.
Melbourne’s households and businesses have demonstrated a strong commitment to the efficient use of water and the
water supply system is currently meeting the needs of customers.
More information on the Water Outlook and Permanent Water Use Rules is available from water retailer websites.
Action Plans
The three water retailers’ Drought Response Plans require them to report on the Annual Action Plans and Medium term
Action Plans in order to maintain water security. This Water Outlook reflects the plans – annual and longer term – being
undertaken at a number of tiers of resource planning. These are contained in the following appendices and reflect:
 Joint retailer programs with Melbourne Water to enhance security for bulk water supply; and
 Investment at a local level by each individual water business.
11 AUGUST 2010
Appendix 1 – Joint water business programs to enhance security for bulk water supply
PROGRAM/PROJECT
NAME
DESCRIPTION
RESPONSIBILITY
TIMING/
STATUS
Victorian State Water
Plan
Assist the Department of Environment, Land, Water
and Planning to develop a water resource plan that
covers:

Preparing for drought and climate change;

Preparing for extreme events and emergencies;

Direction for urban water management

Realising the potential of a water grid for
Victoria and;

Productivity and affordability.
Develop an urban water strategy that includes levels
of service, measures to integrate urban water cycle
management into planning, options to facilitate
efficient investment in projects, measures to adapt
to climate change and measures to maintain a
balance between supply and demand.
Melbourne Water, in collaboration with other water
corporations, will develop a Melbourne Water
System strategy. The strategy will establish a view of
available water in the Melbourne system across a 50
year planning horizon.
City West Water
South East Water
Yarra Valley Water
Melbourne Water
2016
City West Water
South East Water
Yarra Valley Water
2017
Melbourne Water
2017
Develop robust assessment of the augmentation
costs that could be avoided through implementing
programs to reduce the need for new potable water
sources
Melbourne Water
City West Water
South East Water
Yarra Valley Water
2016
City West Water
South East Water
Yarra Valley Water
City West Water
South East Water
Yarra Valley Water
Rules remain
in place
Community rebates
program
Continue to inform the community about the
common sense rules that ensure the wise use of
water at all times
Administer rebates to selected financially vulnerable
residential customers.
Desalinated Water Order
Advice
Annually review the level of security and advise on
the need for desalinated water
No water
ordered for
2015/16
End Use Study and
Appliance Stock Survey
Using a sample of 350 customers, use digital
technology and analytical tools to determine
detailed water use habits and conduct a stocktake of
the penetration of water efficient appliances. This
will aid future demand forecast plus help target
future efficiency programs
City West Water
South East Water
Yarra Valley Water
Melbourne Water
City West Water
South East Water
Yarra Valley Water
Melbourne Water
Urban Water Strategy
Melbourne Water System
Strategy
Permanent Water Use
Rules
11 AUGUST 2010
Ongoing
End 2015 –
mid 2017
Appendix 2- Investment at a local level by each individual water business
City West Water Programs/ Projects
PROGRAM/PROJECT
NAME
DESCRIPTION
RESPONSIBILITY
TIMING/ STATUS
West Werribee dual
supply project
City West Water
Supply date to be
determined.
Partnerships in
Stormwater Reuse
Program
Provision of ‘fit for purpose’ alternative
water supply to service new urban
development and public open spaces
Partnering with local government to deliver
stormwater harvesting projects for
irrigation.
City West Water
Aquifer storage and
recovery
Using aquifers in regions to store alternative
water.
City West Water
Southern Rural
Water
Altona recycled water
project stage 2
Provision of ‘fit for purpose’ alternative
water supply to industries in the Altona
industrial precinct.
City West Water
Western growth area
scheme
Development of the servicing strategy for
the western growth area using an integrated
water management approach.
City West Water
Ongoing - Five projects
have been commissioned
and one project is expected
to be commissioned by Dec
2015
The construction of the 1st
Aquifer Storage and
Recovery (ASR) project is
expected to be completed
in 2015/16 and the
investigation of a 2nd ASR
project is nearing the
injection trial stage.
City West Water is
currently in the process of
revisiting the strategy and
business case
Under development
Efficiency programs –
non-residential
customers
Continue to work with non-residential
customers to deliver water efficiency
projects. Focus will include optimising open
space irrigation, continuing to benchmark
consumption and water audits for schools
and small to medium businesses.
Undertake active leak detection, reticulation
mains renewals, pressure management,
intelligent network technologies and rapid
response to bursts and leaks.
Investigation into how to reinstate this
disused asset to maximise its benefit to
livability of Melbourne’s West.
Development of the servicing strategy for
EWEP using an integrated water
management approach.
City West Water
Ongoing
City West Water
Ongoing
Melbourne Water
City West Water,
Other stakeholders
City West Water
Melbourne Water
Department of
Environment Land
Water and Planning
Metropolitan
Planning Authority
City West Water
Melbourne Water
Local Government
Department of
Environment Land
Water and Planning
Metropolitan
Planning Authority
A cost-benefit analysis is
currently being completed
Network efficiency
Main Outfall Sewer
(MOS) Water
Optimisation
East Werribee
Employment Precinct
(EWEP) IWCM Strategy
Greening the West
11 AUGUST 2010
A preventative health initiative to link
sustainable water supplies to enable healthy
communities through increased greening.
Under development
Ongoing
South East Water Programs/ Projects
PROGRAM/PROJECT
NAME
DESCRIPTION
RESPONSIBILITY
TIMING/ STATUS
St Kilda Road Project
Through the use of metering technology – at the
house and network level – explore the drivers of
peak loads and assess the role water efficiency
could have in reducing demand (and hence
deferring augmentation)
Work with the CRC for Water Sensitive Cities to
consider the liveability options related urban
planning and design, green infrastructure and
intelligent water and energy systems for the
project.
South East Water
Data – Ongoing
Analysis – 2015 / 16
Application – 2016 / 17
South East Water
CRC Water Sensitive
Cities
Department
Environment, Land,
Water and Planning
South East Water
Completed
South East Water
Ongoing
Connections to date –
16,500
Fishermans Bend
Redevelopment Concept
Fishermans Bend
Redevelopment –
Service Strategy
Dual pipe recycled
water schemes
Rainwater tanks risk
framework
Pakenham East Precinct
Structure Plan –
incorporating
stormwater
Aquarevo
Water Efficiency
11 AUGUST 2010
In conjunction with Melbourne Water, local
government and other stakeholders develop an
integrated water management solution for the
redevelopment of Fishermans Bend
Ongoing provision of recycled water products to
110,000 customers across the growth areas of
Casey (50,000), Officer (20,000), Berwick (5,000),
Cranbourne (30,000) and Pakenham (6,000)
Undertake a review of the alternative water
supply network in order to optimise the
availability of the resource and minimise the cost
to customers
Undertake research and trials of assessing long
term regulatory risk and solutions for rainwater
tanks.
With stakeholders, explore whole of water cycle
management solutions. Focus is on alternative
water use and stormwater management
Business Plan, funding model and commercial
arrangements completed for the demonstration
project to showcase new technologies, intelligent
metering, rainwater tanks for hot water service
and irrigation plus innovative service solutions.
Continue to enhance the education of customers
and stakeholders via our new water education site
Servicing Strategy 2016
2016
South East Water
Options Paper – 2016
South East Water
Melbourne Water
Casey Shire
2015
South East Water
Concept Complete
Construction 2016
South East Water
Ongoing
Yarra Valley Water Programs/ Projects
PROGRAM/PROJECT
NAME
DESCRIPTION
RESPONSIBILITY
TIMING/ STATUS
Dual Pipe Recycled
Water Projects –
Doncaster Hill
Planning provision of recycled water to
4,000 new lots in Doncaster Hill,
predominantly high rise developments.
Yarra Valley Water
Manningham
Council
Dual pipe recycled
water projects – Yarra
Valley Water
Ongoing provision of recycled water
projects to some 97,000 customers across
Epping, Craigieburn West, Kalkallo, Wallan
and Croydon.
Yarra Valley Water
Kalkallo stormwater
harvesting project as
part of Merrifield
development
Harvest stormwater from a large
commercial development near Kalkallo and
treat to drinking water standard with initial
re-use into the recycled water system.
Yarra Valley Water
Further work is being
completed by Yarra Valley
Water in consultation with
local Councils regarding the
siting of the Recycled Water
Treatment Plant Facility to
supply the recycled water.
Regional planning lead by
DELWP has confirmed
support for the continued roll
out of recycled water to the
suburbs located within the
Northern Growth Area.
The scheme’s treatment
plant has been constructed
and will commence operation
once sufficient additional
development occurs within
its catchment.
Kalkallo retarding basin
stormwater harvesting
Feasibility analysis for large scale recycling
of stormwater for potable use in the Kalkallo
area with water harvested from the
proposed Kalkallo stormwater retarding
basin owned by Melbourne Water
Yarra Valley Water
Metropolitan
Planning Authority
Melbourne Water
Efficiency programs –
residential customers
Efficiency programs –
non-residential
customers
Network Efficiency
Continue to provide customers with water
efficiency education and advice programs.
Continue to work with nonresidential customers to deliver water
efficiency projects.
Undertake active leak detection, reticulation
mains renewals, pressure management,
intelligent network technologies and rapid
response to bursts and leaks.
Yarra Valley Water
The options for the scheme’s
integrated water storage
have been developed.
Detailed feasibility analysis
will be completed by June
2016.
Ongoing
Yarra Valley Water
Ongoing
Yarra Valley Water
Ongoing
11 AUGUST 2010