Across autumn, Melbourne’s water storages captured 50% less water than the 30-year average.
The lack of rainfall contributed to the biggest start-of-year fall in Melbourne water storages since 1998 during the Millennium Drought. In the first 5 months of the year, Melbourne’s drinking water supplies fell by 13% to 73% - a loss of 241 billion litres.
While it is normal for Melbourne’s storage levels to decline during late summer and autumn, the ongoing dry conditions in much of Victoria and a rise in water household use contributed to the unusual fall.
Household water use
Water use across Melbourne continued to rise, with 1,403 million litres of drinking water used per day during the autumn months.
The figure represents a 5.7% increase compared to last autumn, equating to 77 million litres more per day than in 2024.
Winter outlook
The data has been released in Melbourne Water’s latest seasonal update, alongside the predictions from the Bureau of Meteorology for winter.
Rainfall across the state for winter is expected to be within the typical range for the season, for much of the state.
Securing water supplies
As part of strategic planning to secure water supplies across Victoria, 50 billion litres of drinking water will begin to flow from the Victorian Desalination Plant into Melbourne water storages from next month.
The high-quality drinking water – extracted from seawater - will add to the 455 billion litres of desalinated already delivered into the water supply system since 2016.
Water restrictions have taken effect in five Victorian towns to protect declining local water supplies, and Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) continues to monitor at-risk water storages across Victoria to ensure sustainable water use. DEECA works closely with water corporations, which introduce restrictions when required.
These initiatives sit within a wider strategy to safeguard Victoria’s drinking water supplies.
Desalinated water, water efficiency programs, water restrictions, recycled water and treatment of stormwater are all part of Victoria’s strategic approach to ensure reliable water supplies now and in the future.
Page last updated: 16/06/25