Water levels in good shape heading into summer

THE region’s water storages are in good shape in the short term, according to Barwon Water’s latest Annual Water Outlook.

The document, released earlier this month, details the security of the region’s supply systems over the next two years.

Barwon Water managing director Tracey Slatter said water levels were at nearly 100 per cent at the start of summer so storage levels were in the best shape for this time of year in more than a decade, with the likelihood of restrictions in the Geelong, Golden Plains, Bellarine and Surf Coast supply system rated as “very rare”.

“West Barwon Reservoir, home to the region’s main catchment located in the Otways, spilled for the first time in seven years, while Lal Lal Reservoir, in the Moorabool catchment also started spilling for a second year in a row, in August this year.”

She said even though storages were in good shape coming into summer, it was important everyone followed the state’s permanent water saving rules, which help ensure Victorians use water more efficiently.

“We know that while storages are at high levels now, the situation can change quickly. During the Millennium Drought, and even more recently during the 2015-2016 El Niño and the hot dry start to 2019, we saw water storages can draw down rapidly.”

To read the 2021 Annual Water Outlook, head to the Barwon Water website