Securing South Gippsland’s water resources

Thursday, December 16th, 2021

Every year South Gippsland Water undertakes a forecast of how much water we have on hand  and how much we have used in each of our eight supply systems.

We then examine these against current weather predictions and climate modelling.

The results we publish are called Water Security Outlooks. These are now available for download on our website. There is an overarching report, alongside reports for each of the systems.

South Gippsland Water Managing Director Philippe du Plessis said forecasting the year ahead      was necessary to ensure we had sufficient water in place to deliver to our customers.

“Having these outlooks is invaluable. It tells us which water systems might experience additional  pressure or the potential for staged water restrictions to imposed over the summer,” he said.

“Fortunately, at least for this year, the outlook is again reasonable. Rainfall across the South Gippsland region means we’re entering the summer with all four of our systems at 100 per cent capacity and Lance Creek at 93 per cent.

“While restrictions are not considered likely or certain for any of our supply systems, restrictions may be possible in Fish Creek or Leongatha, if conditions become considerably drier than those indicated by the Bureau of Meteorology, but it remains unlikely.

“Our systems with low storage capacity such as Dumbalk, Meeniyan and Yarram have been assigned a restriction level of very rare, as the recent streamflow conditions, as well as the forecast climate conditions, are above average.

“This means we’re in a good place to kick off the new year. However, we ask that people remember that the whole of Victoria has permanent water savings rules in place.

“So please, water your gardens between 6pm and 10am, attach trigger nozzles to all outside         hoses, and don’t hose down pathways and driveways.

“These simple steps can make a real difference, particularly as we look to our longer-term  future, where Victoria is forecast to be both warmer and drier.”

South Gippsland’s water future is looking healthier thanks to a key Victorian Government investment of $30 million in 2016 to secure the water supply needs of Korumburra, Poowong, Loch and Nyora.

The Lance Creek Connection as the project became known, connected these towns to the Lance Creek Reservoir and to the Melbourne water supply system to assist with continuity of supply.

To read our in-depth water outlooks visit Water Security Outlooks – South Gippsland Water (sgwater.com.au)