Water restrictions failing

AUSTRALIANS have made herculean efforts to save water since restrictions were ramped up in 2001 but they might not be keeping up with climate change as many dam levels continue to fall. A national survey by The Australian has found the billion-plus litres of water saved since restrictions started to be introduced nationwide in 2001 has in some cases not kept pace with reduced rainfall. Had the restrictions not been imposed, the dams serving some capital cities would have dried up. The Sydney Catchment Authority reported inflow to its dams between 1990 and 2006 averaged just 614 billion litres, less than its pre-restriction annual usage. The inflow to Melbourne's dams between 1997 and 2006 averaged 387GL, less than its annual use. Inflows to Perth's dams have fallen to a quarter of their pre-1974 level, with an average of just 82GL a year from 2001 to 2006.

Aust 4 Jan 2008