SA Water has announced it has refreshed South Australia’s reservoirs by topping them up with more than 60 billion litres of water following rainfalls that dropped during recent wet and wintry months.
According to SA Water’s Senior Manager of Media, Communications and Stakeholder Engagement, Joshua Zugajev, natural inflows from winter’s rainfall lifted storage levels to 69 per cent for spring after the State’s 10 reservoirs held a collective 46 per cent when full in winter.
“Rainfall during the months of June and July laid the groundwork for significant catchment flows across the Mount Lofty Ranges over the past few weeks,” Mr Zugajev said.”
He said last year’s winter rainfall delivered as much as 74 per cent water.
“Although it was a steady start to winter, rainfall during the months of June and July laid the groundwork for significant catchment flows across the Mount Lofty Ranges,” Mr Zugajev said.
“Inflows to our reservoirs rose exponentially last month, as heavy rainfall took advantage of wetter soil conditions, making it easier for water to flow into the reservoirs and create a positive impact on storage levels,” he said.
“Mount Bold enjoyed quite the drink this winter, with total inflows to the reservoir eclipsing 20 billion litres of water – tripling its storage level from what it was prior to winter, to now sit at 65 per cent.
“A surge in rainfall during August helped top up Myponga Reservoir by more than five billion litres and prompted the opening of one of the reservoir’s gates to safely release water, while matching inflows.”
Mr Zugajev said that inflows to reservoirs rose exponentially in August as heavy rainfall took advantage of wetter soil conditions, making it easier for water to flow into the reservoirs and create a positive impact on storage levels.
“Mount Bold enjoyed quite the drink this winter, with total inflows to the reservoir eclipsing 20 billion litres of water – tripling its storage level from what it was prior to winter, to now sit at 65 per cent,” he said.
“Looking at the three-month period, the largest individual day for natural inflows came during the 24 hours to 8am on 13 August, when more than four billion litres of water entered the State’s reservoirs.
“Our reservoirs are now sitting at a comfortable position with capacity to capture further anticipated rainfall, with the Bureau of Meteorology predicting a wetter-than-average spring,” SA Water’s Senior Manager of Media said.
“Despite the uncertainty of rainfall from one year to the next, diverse sources are helping ensure a secure supply for future generations and fostering a more sustainable South Australia,” Mr Mr Zugajev said.
