With rainfall at all time lows across the state, the Victorian Desalination Plant has stepped up to secure Melbourne Water’s storages.
Melbourne Water explained that winter 2025 has been very dry, and this has contributed to its the driest January–June streamflows on record, with catchment rainfall down 11.2 per cent on the 30-year (1995–2024) average and streamflow around half of 2024’s levels. While this has taken storage volumes to their lowest levels for the end of winter since 2020, the Victorian Desalination Plant has risen to the challenge, delivering more than 16GL since 1 July 2025 to keep Melbourne’s water storages topped up.
Permanent water-saving rules remain in force across Greater Melbourne. Hand-held hoses must use trigger nozzles. Watering systems are restricted to 6.00pm–10.00am, and watering of hard surfaces is allowed only under limited circumstances, to ensure everyone uses water efficiently.
Melbourne Water Executive General Manager of Service Futures, Chris Brace, said that desalination has been the city’s winter lifeline and every drop counts.
“But we still need every Melbournian to play their part. Fix leaking taps around the home; cut your shower by a minute. Small actions add up to billions of litres saved and can help us get through the drier months ahead,” he said.
After a dry autumn, Melbourne’s catchments had only brief relief due to sporadic cold fronts this winter. Despite those showers, the total rainfall for June, July, and August 2025 remains well below the 30-year average. The decline in winter streamflow is due to dry catchment soils resulting from rain shortfalls earlier in the year. This suggests a potential decline in our water storages unless we receive good rainfall in spring.
Melbourne Water said the Bureau of Meteorology’s current spring forecast suggests a neutral to slightly wetter pattern over September-November 2025. While showers are forecast, they may not bring flows to catchments back to long-term averages. This makes both its desalination supply and community conservation efforts vital.
Image: https://stock.adobe.com/au/images/maroondah-reservoir/367790443
Image: totomophotographs/stock.adobe.com
