Desalinated water is now flowing into Cardinia Reservoir ahead of schedule.
The Victorian Government said the early flow will boost Melbourne’s water supply as metropolitan storage levels fall below 64 per cent. That is the lowest level recorded for Melbourne’s storages in more than six years.
Minister for Water Harriet Shing announced the early flow, with the Victorian Desalination Plant set to produce 150 billion litres of water over the next year. That is the maximum order.
Why is desalinated water being delivered early?
The Government said bringing desalinated water online early allows water to begin flowing as soon as possible. Despite recent rain, most water storages across Victoria have trended down for more than two years.
Melbourne and Geelong storages have recorded the steepest annual decline since the Millennium Drought. The Government said desalinated water does not depend on rainfall, making it an important part of Victoria’s long-term water strategy.
Regular desalinated water orders are now part of Melbourne’s drinking water supply. They also support surrounding regions, including parts of Gippsland, Phillip Island and Geelong.
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How much water has the plant delivered?
The Victorian Desalination Plant has delivered more than half a trillion litres of drinking water since it became operational. The Government said that it is equivalent to 27.9 per cent of Melbourne’s storage capacity. It also equals filling the Melbourne Cricket Ground 320 times, or 202,000 Olympic swimming pools.
The plant has also helped prevent water restrictions across Melbourne, Geelong and parts of Gippsland.
Without access to Melbourne’s water supplies, which the desalination plant supports, the Government said Geelong water storages would now be below 10 per cent.
What does it mean for Melbourne’s supply?
The early flow into Cardinia Reservoir provides an additional source of drinking water while rainfall-dependent storages remain under pressure. The 150-billion-litre order will help bolster Melbourne’s supply over the next year.
For the broader system, desalinated water provides a climate-independent supply option that can be used when storage declines.
The Government said Melbourne continues to have the lowest water prices of any Australian capital city. Shing said investment in major water infrastructure was needed to keep drinking water flowing.
