Reservoirs runneth over

RESERVOIRS in Ballarat have benefited from an increase in rainfall over recent months.

Lal Lal Reservoir is spilling for the second year in a row, but also just the fifth time since 1997, and Central Highlands Water expects this to continue for at least the next three months.

Gong Gong Reservoir is also full and CHW managing director Paul O’Donohue said Cosgrove, Beales, Pincotts and Kirks reservoir supplies are “currently greater than 90 per cent capacity”.

“Larger regional areas such as Daylesford’s three reservoirs, Wombat, Bullarto and Hepburn are also full and Maryborough’s surface water supply is currently at 80 percent, placing our water resources in a good position for future water supply needs,” he said.

CHW believe the increased capacity is due to a combination of a cooler than average summer and good rainfall.

The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting a high chance of above average rainfall for the rest of the year and a “favourable” annual water outlook come December.

“Increasing flows in rivers, including the Moorabool River, and tributaries is good news from both an environmental front, as well as from a water resources perspective across CHW’s service region,” Mr O’Donohue said.

But the good news brings warnings as well and CHW encourages residents to be aware of any advice from emergency services with larger flows in rivers, creeks and tributaries potentially leading to floods.

CHW is in the process of future planning and will deliver its urban water strategy next year.

The strategy will outline how CHW will manage the “impacts of growing population, climate change and other risks on our region’s water and sewerage systems” for the next 50 years.