The Monthly Water Report provides a statewide monthly summary of the status of water resources and water supplies. Each month's report is published online towards the end of the following month. It is based on data provided by Victoria's 19 urban and rural water corporations and rainfall data from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.

Rainfall

Rainfall in parts of western, northern and central Victoria was generally average for July.  However, rainfall across most of southern Victoria and parts of the west was below the long-term July average.  Rainfall in the Gippsland region in particular has been well below average.

Stream flows

July rainfall continued to support improved surface runoff to streams. However, of the 28 representative stations, there were no stations that recorded end-of-month flow above the long-term July average.

Storages

The total volume in Victoria’s major storages increased by 5.1% to 39.6% of total capacity during July.  The major regional water storages increased by 5.6% to 40.2%. Melbourne's storages are holding 35.5% of capacity, 1.7% higher than at the end of June.

Restrictions on Urban Water Supplies

During July, Coliban Water reduced restrictions for towns on the Wimmera system to Stage 1, including Wychitella, Wedderburn, Borung, and Korong Vale.

At the end of July, 243 Victorian towns were on restrictions, which is significantly lower than the same time last year when 333 towns were on restrictions.

Irrigation Allocations

G-MW made the first allocation announcement for the 2010/11 season on 1 July.  The allocations for high-reliability water shares (HRWS) opened at zero for all systems, and remained at zero throughout the month.

However, a record volume of water was carried over from the 2009-10 to the 2010-11 irrigation, and G-MW announced that carryover would be deliverable on the Murray and Goulburn systems from the 16 August.

G-MW released the latest seasonal allocation outlook for the 2010/11 season on 15 July.  The first allocations on the Goulburn and Murray systems are expected on 16 August. 

Coliban Water will announce the 2010/11 allocation for the Coliban Rural System on 15 September.  However, as a minimum, a 30% emergency supply will be available to eligible commercial customers on the Coliban Rural System again this year.

In southern Victoria, Southern Rural Water made the first allocation announcement for the Werribee and Bacchus Marsh irrigation districts.  An opening allocation of 6% was announced on 1 July, and increased to 8% for HRWS on 27 July.

At the end of the month, Lake Glenmaggie was at 55.8% of capacity.  The allocation for HRWS in the Macalister Irrigation District opened on 1 July at 55%, and was increased to 65% on 27 July.  There has been no spill entitlement allocated to date.

Restrictions on Unregulated Streams

At the end of July, diversions from a total of 132 unregulated streams and lakes across the state were subject to restrictions.  This is similar to the same time last year when 139 streams were on restriction.

Seasonal Climate Outlook

The Bureau of Meteorology released its rainfall outlook for August to October on 22 July.  The outlook for most of south-east Australia is neutral, with above average rainfall being equally likely as below average rainfall.  However, the odds favour drier conditions for parts of Victoria’s southern coast. 

The Bureau issued its latest ENSO Wrap-Up on 21 July. The Bureau reports that major indicators are consistent with a developing La Niña event.