No sweat over dry prediction

By Cherie Donnellan
PREDICTIONS of a return to “dry, hot weather” have failed to alarm the region’s water authority.
Barwon Water said the region would have enough supply to last almost 40 years regardless of “climate variability”.
Meteorologist Tom Saunders last week warned Australia was at risk of returning to drought-like conditions as sea surface temperatures exceeded a “threshold for El Niño conditions”.
El Nino is a weather pattern over the South Pacific that generally creates dry conditions in Australia and wetter weather in South America. The pattern’s counterpart, El Nina, induces reversed conditions.
“El Niño conditions typically bring below-average rain and above-average temperatures to the eastern half of Australia during winter and spring.
But Barwon Water’s Carl Bicknell said the region’s water supply system was “well-placed” to deal with a return to El Niño conditions.
The region’s storages held a three-year supply, while major water projects would meet forecast growth and address climate variability for the next 40 years, he said.
“Greater Geelong’s water future has been secured until 2050 through recent initiatives such as the Anglesea borefield, Northern Water Plant, Black Rock recycled water project and Melbourne to Geelong pipeline.
“This diversified supply system means the region is not reliant on surface water alone and will be able to meet demand through a range of sources, including recycled water and groundwater.”
Mr Bicknell said Barwon Water had made substantial investments in new supply sources.
“This will provide effective protection against the potential impacts of an El Niño for many years to come.”