Perth Weekly Water Update - 22 January 2021
| Target | Actual | |
|---|---|---|
| January water use to date | 23.1 billion litres |
24.7 billion litres |
| Dam storage levels | N/A | 46 per cent |
| Monthly streamflow into dams | N/A | 0.7 billion litres |
| January rainfall to date | 9.7 mm (January average rainfall 1876-2016) | 0.40 mm |
| 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 1,122 million litres per day, which was above the forecast of 1,051 million litres.
Daily water use for the last 5 days
| Date | Actual water use (million litres) | Forecast water use (million litres) |
|---|---|---|
| 18/01/2021 | 1221 | 1051 |
| 19/01/2021 | 1083 | 1050 |
| 20/01/2021 | 1117 | 1,050 |
| 21/01/2021 | 1103 | 1,050 |
| 22/01/2021 | 1126 | 1,050 |
| Note, water use is calculated up to 8am each day for the previous 24 hour period. | ||
Since 1 July 2020, we have used 160.08 billion litres of water – which is 0.34 billion litres below the forecast target for this period.
Dam levels (total for 15 dams)
The dam storage levels have decreased slightly this week and are sitting at a combined 46 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 2020 the dams have received 42.5 billion litres of streamflow. The post-1975 average for the May to April period (called the streamflow year) is 176.73 billion litres.
Sprinkler roster compliance
Since 1 January 2021, we have taken a total of 508 actions (warnings + fines) compared with 641 actions for the same period in 2020.
Annual rainfall
Perth has received 0.40 mm of rainfall since 1 January 2021. The average (1994-2019) rainfall for the same period to the end of January is 19.7 mm.
General water news
Do you live in one of the top 10 suburbs recently listed as the worst for blockages caused by fats, oils, grease and non-flushable items in 2020? (Click here to find out)
Our wastewater system is designed to take away toilet paper and human waste only, so when other items such as wet wipes, kitchen paper towels, sanitary items, toothbrushes, toys, clothing, even a bed sheet – you’d be surprised by what we find – end up in the wastewater system, it can not only cause blockages at your property, but problems for the broader wastewater system too.
That is why we’re urging people to always think people they flush or sink, and to dispose of waste items correctly. The only things that should be flushed are the 3Ps - pee, poo and (toilet) paper - everything else goes in the bin.
By only flushing the 3Ps, it helps protect wastewater systems from blockages and minimises the chance of an overflow to your property or the environment. If the blockage or overflow is on your property, you will need to engage a licensed plumber and are responsible for any repair costs.
We all have a part to play in helping to protect this important infrastructure and avoid blockages.
For more information about what not to flush, visit www.watercorporation.com.au/flush.