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Table showing target and actual water use, dam levels, streamflow and rainfall
  Target Actual
January water use to date 3 billion litres 3 billion litres
Dam storage levels NA 48%
Weekly streamflow into dams NA 44 billion litres
January rainfall to date 16.7mm (Jan average rainfall 1994-2017) 1.6mm
Note: 1 billion litres = approximately 400 Olympic swimming pools. Please note the figures in this table are rounded (except for rainfall) to the nearest whole number.
 

Water use

Average water use over the past week was 973 million litres per day, which was below the forecast of 1,032 million litres.

Daily water use for the last 5 days

Table showing daily water use for the last 5 days
Date Actual water use (million litres) Forecast water use (million litres)
3/01/2020 928 1037
2/01/2020 991 1037
1/01/2020 984 1037
31/12/2019 968 1037
30/12/2019 983 1024
Note, water use is calculated up to 8am each day for the previous 24 hour period.

Since 1 July 2019, we have used 144 billion litres of water – which is around 7 billion litres over the forecast for this period.

Dam levels (total for 15 dams)

The dam storage levels have dropped slightly this week and are sitting at a combined 47.5 per cent* of full capacity.

*Please note some dams are filled from different sources - dam levels include the transfer of groundwater and desalinated seawater from treatment plants as well as streamflow (that comes from rainfall). As we use many different sources of water, dams are no longer an accurate indicator of the health of Perth's overall water supply situation.

Streamflow (total for 15 dams)

From 1 May 2019 the dams have received 44.1 billion litres of streamflow. The post-1975 average for the May to April period (called the streamflow year) is 183.9 billion litres.

Sprinkler roster compliance

The two-day a week sprinkler roster now applies. The two-day a week sprinkler roster now applies. Throughout 2019, we took a total of 9408 actions (warnings + fines) compared with 8684 actions for 2018.

Annual rainfall

Perth has received 1.60 mm of rainfall since 1 January 2019. The average (1994-2017) rainfall for the January period is 16.7 mm.

General water news

We are reminding everyone living in bushfire prone areas to not rely on scheme water supplies during a bushfire if you plan to stay and defend your home.

Water Corporation will do all it can to maintain scheme water during a bushfire but heat-damaged infrastructure, or a cut to power, may result in a loss of supply. High demand for water will also lead to a drop in water pressure and water supply tanks will empty quickly.

Residents who plan to defend their home in the event of a bushfire must ensure they have an independent water supply, and a pumping capability in the event of a total loss of power.

To find out how to prepare for a bushfire, including having an independent water supply, visit http://www.firechat.wa.gov.au


Media Enquiries:

Contact: Clare Lugar

Position: Manager Media and Strategic Communications

Phone: (08) 9420 2555