Coliban Water’s storage reservoirs have begun spilling after more rain across the catchment over the weekend.
Upper Coliban began spilling last week, and Malmsbury after the weekend’s rain.
Executive General Manager Climate and Population Adaptation Steve Healy said good rain in June and July has meant the reservoirs have filled earlier than usual.
“When the reservoirs fill to capacity, this typically occurs September or October, but this is the first time they have filled in July since 2012” Mr Healy said.
The storages are currently at more than 98 per cent capacity. With more rain forecast in the coming month, the reservoirs have begun spilling to the Coliban River and flowing to Lake Eppalock.
This time last year the reservoirs were at 76 per cent capacity.
“We have received 99 millimeters of rainfall at Malmsbury in July, and over 16,500 megalitres inflow to the reservoirs.
“The spilling at Upper Coliban and Malmsbury has meant that these reservoirs are closed to on-water recreation, for the safety of our users, and we will reassess this in the coming weeks. Lauriston remains open,” Mr Healy said.
The three Coliban Water storages; Malmsbury, Lauriston and Upper Coliban Reservoirs are the main drinking water source for towns from Kyneton through to Bendigo.
The Coliban Main Channel delivers the water to our customers from Kyneton up to Bendigo via a gravity fed channel system.
Despite the spilling and good storage capacity, Coliban Water is reminding its customers that water is a finite, precious resource.
“We know that at some point in the future there will be more drought, much of the work we do is planning for the next 50 years and a changing climate.
“We urge our customers to remember the five Permanent Water Savings Rules that use water efficiently and avoid waste,” Mr Healy said.
Coliban Water are also preparing their next Urban Water Strategy. Reviewed every five years, this identified the best mix of actions to provide water services now and into the future.
“The Urban Water Strategy considers the impacts of population growth which impacts the demand for water, climate change which reduces water availability and other risks over 50 years.
“You can have your say on what’s important to your town by completing our survey available through our online engagement platform, Connect Coliban,” Mr Healy added.
For more information on our reservoirs and to view daily reservoir levels visit our website coliban.com.au
The Urban Water Strategy survey is now available at connect.coliban.com.au