Supplying water to Melbourne
The impacts of climate change bring more unpredictable weather, and with more people wanting to call Melbourne home, over 6 million Melburnians will need water every day by 2030. We are in the decade that matters when our demand for water could outstrip our supply particularly during drier periods.
That’s why at Melbourne Water, we have been taking action and planning across 50-year time horizons to manage and protect this precious resource for our city.
Where does our water come from?
Currently, Melbourne's water supply mainly comes from rainwater that is stored in dams and reservoirs. Every day, we supply around 1,250 million litres of drinking water to over 5 million Melburnians.
Ensuring we have enough water for future generations
Currently, Melbourne's water supply mainly comes from rainwater that is stored in dams and reservoirs.
This is topped up with water from the desalination plant which now provides an essential role in our city's water supply to support our growing population.
The Victorian Desalination Plant can supply up to 150 billion litres of water every year, or around one third of Melbourne’s current annual water demand. This helps take the pressure off our reservoirs during drier periods and droughts.
Find out more about our desalination plant
We produce recycled water at our Eastern and Western Treatment Plants, which is used for a range of non-drinking purposes to help save water.
Highly treated wastewater which follows strict regulatory guidelines can be used to water parks and gardens, and to irrigate crops.
Find out more about recycled water
We must keep looking to other water resources to supply more, ensuring we have enough water today, tomorrow and for generations to come.
Use water wisely
We're lucky that water is readily available across Melbourne - we just need to turn on the tap. But despite what we may think, water is not unlimited. We all have a responsibility to use water wisely to protect this precious resource for future generations. Although Melburnians have already committed to make every drop count, there’s more we all can do:
1. Shave a minute off your shower
2. Turn off the tap when you brush your teeth
3. Go easy with the hose and use a trigger nozzle
If we each save a little, we all save a lot.
