See Melbourne’s water outlook for the year ahead: a summary of the state of our water availability and demand, and what this means for Melbourne – including actions the water industry is taking to secure a resilient, reliable water supply.
The Water Outlook is developed collaboratively by Melbourne Water, Greater Western Water, South East Water and Yarra Valley Water due to the shared nature of Melbourne’s water sources. It is based on storage levels in Melbourne’s water supply system as of late November each year, taking into account factors like rainfall, water orders from the Victorian Desalination Plant, and water conservation behaviours.
Melbourne’s water outlook at a glance
Outlook for 2024
Melbourne’s water storages are secure for the year ahead. Storages are high now, sitting at 95.0%, but can fall very quickly in dry conditions.
At a glance:
- Water storage levels are secure for the year ahead. Storages are high now, sitting at 95.0%, but can fall very quickly in dry conditions.
- Current storage levels are high due to above-average rainfall and inflows into catchments over the past three years. Recent wet years have offered some short-term relief from a longer-term dry trend.
- Melbourne’s annual water use exceeds natural flows into our storages by 50–70 billion litres. Over time this deficit will continue to grow.
- Although water restrictions aren’t expected for Greater Melbourne over the next 12 months, permanent water saving rules will continue to apply and we all need to make every drop count.
Download the Water Outlook
For an in-depth look at these issues, download the Water Outlook:
You may also like...
Why we need to save water
Read about Melbourne's water supply and water storage levels, which face ongoing challenges from climate change and population growth.
Permanent water-saving rules and Target 150
Learn about our permanent water-saving rules, the Target 150 initiative and the last time water restrictions were implemented.
Water storage levels
View daily water storage levels and inflow, rainfall over the catchments and Melbourne’s total water use.
Find out how to save water, and why it’s so important that we do.
Read the latest outlook for the weeks, months and seasons ahead.