Colac and Apollo Bay restrictions lifted
Media release, June 7 2016, REF: 041/16
Stage 3 water restrictions will be lifted in Colac, Apollo Bay, Marengo and Skenes Creek at 1am on Friday, June 10.
The move follows a month of consistent rainfall that has boosted the towns' supplies.
Colac's storages have increased from 24 per cent in April to 48 per cent today while Apollo Bay's have jumped from the same low level of 24 per cent to 63 per cent over the same period.
Restrictions were introduced in Colac on March 24 and in the seaside towns of Apollo Bay, Marengo and Skenes Creek on May 1 following unprecedented dry conditions across Barwon Water's south-west region.
Restriction were also imposed in Lorne on March 24, but were lifted in mid-May as the dry spell broke.
Barwon Water Managing Director Joe Adamski said storages in all three areas were in a healthy position leading into summer, but record dry conditions had seen supplies fall into the restriction range.
"It was dry beyond what we had ever experienced before, but good, consistent rainfall has seen a dramatic recovery in storage levels in recent weeks," Mr Adamski said.
West Gellibrand Reservoir, which supplies Colac, received 232mm during May.
Rain fell in the catchment on 22 days of the month, with more than 10mm recorded on six days and more than 20mm on five days.
This was well above the monthly average of 120mm.
Apollo Bay also had a wet May, with 172mm recorded. This was almost double the monthly average of 89mm.
Apollo Bay recorded more than 40mm on May 1, the same day Stage 3 restrictions were introduced.
The May total exceeded the 162mm recorded during the first four months of 2016.
Mr Adamski said while the restrictions had been lifted, permanent water saving measures now applied across all Barwon Water's service region.
More information on the simple, common-sense rules to conserve water can be found at www.barwonwater.vic.gov.au or by telephoning 1300 656 007.
Further Information
Cassie Milner Media and Communications
(03) 5226 2352 or 0401 857 580