Water use has surged during recent heatwaves and bushfires, prompting one water authority to warn of potential future restrictions.
Coliban Water in northern Victoria faced the dual pressures of week long heatwaves and devastating bushfires in January which put growing pressure on its storage resources.
Daily water use records across central and northern Victoria were broken multiple times during the January heat spells, with the second heatwave around the Australia Day recording usage as high as 66 percent more than that used on cooler days in summer.
Usage topped 85 megalitres on both Monday 26 and Tuesday 27 January as temperatures exceeded 43°C.
Early in the month Bendigo on January 8 and 9 when temperatures also climbed above 40, use rose to 81 megalitres and 84 megalitres.
The week prior, when temperatures sat at 26°C, usage was just 51 megalitres.
The towns of Castlemaine and Kyneton in the Colibna system also broke use records during the period.
Double blow
Coliban Water Managing Director Damian Wells said the combination of record breaking heat and the bushfire emergency in Harcourt created an unprecedented challenge for the region’s water network and might have longer term consequences.
“While we are unlikely to see water restrictions for urban customers this summer, if our water resource position does not improve restrictions may be necessary in some parts of the region next summer,” Wells said.
Wells said while it was expected for water use to increase on hot days, the combination of long heat spells and bushfire demands at Harcourt had put extra pressure on the system and necessitated utility crews work ‘round the clock’
“We were also supporting the bushfire response, including putting emergency management plans in place, working with the CFA to identify water sources like reservoirs and fire hydrants, and assessing and repairing damage to water and sewer infrastructure,”
Power outages, damage to the telecommunications tower, the risk of falling trees, and an active bushfire made it challenging for crews to safely restore drinking water.
“Some residents across the region may have experienced drops in water pressure during peak periods as demand surged – particularly in holiday towns such as Echuca and Cohuna,” he said.
How to help save water
Wells was also encouraging the adherence to permanent Water Saving Rules apply in Victoria at all times, to help ease the pressure .
“Simple things like a shorter shower, programming appliances to run outside peak times, choosing the half-flush button, and adequately mulching our gardens also help preserve our water supply, and save money too,” Mr Wells said.
“Looking at the data, the drying trend is a reality for our region and one we must prepare for,” Wells said
“It’s important we’re ready for the increased demand created by warmer temperatures, lower rainfall patterns, and a growing population.”
The Coliban system is boosted by water purchased from the Goulburn system and the declines have entailed transfers across storages.
Coliban Water’s three reservoirs near Kyneton have a maximum capacity of 69,390 megalitres and are currently at a combined 59% capacity (41,071 megalitres), in comparison to this time last year, capacity sat at 65% (45,017 megalitres).
Coliban Water’s 18% share of Lake Eppalock, totalling 54,837 megalitres, is currently at 36% (19,968 megalitres) compared to the same time last year when it sat at 85% (46,860 megalitres).
“ This considerable reduction reflects water from Lake Eppalock being supplied to Bendigo via the Goldfields Superpipe since late 2024 to help preserve Kyneton’s storages during the dry conditions.
Coliban noted both Kyneton storages and Lake Eppalock storage levels are below the seasonal average.
