By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
GEELONG is suffering through its hottest and driest October on record, figures from Lindsay Smail of Geelong Weather Services show.
“This will be our warmest October since records started in 1903,” Mr Smail said.
“We had a top temperature of 35.5 and three over 30 degree days in the first week of the month.
“It was unheard of to be so warm so early.”
Mr Smail said with no further rain October would be the driest on record since 1871.
“Even with a huge thunderstorm our rainfall will still be below average.
“We have only had two or three millimetres for the month. Our previous driest ever was six millimetres.”
Mr Smail said rainfall at Geelong’s water catchments was down as well.
“That is slightly worrying because if things don’t pick up in November and December we could be looking at below 50 per cent in our storages.
“I don’t like that prospect going into summer because it will have some impact on water use.”
Mr Smail blamed a strong El Nino and Indian Ocean Dipole for current conditions.
“The Indian Ocean has been cool off the West Australian coast and that leads to suppressed rainfall, added to a strong El Nino in the Pacific Ocean,” he said.
“Geelong also normally suffers from a rain shadow effect from Otways.”
Barwon Water figures showed Geelong’s water storages have been declining during October the last two years.
The overall storage level was at 58.8 per cent with a total of 56,121 megalitres (ML).
This time last year storages were at 81 per cent with a total of 77,138 ML while in 2013 storages were at 91 per cent with 86,801 ML.
Barwon Water was not contemplating water restrictions for Geelong, managing director Joe Adamski said.
Mr Adamski said Geelong had at least two years supply in surface storages and several back-up sources, such as the Melbourne to Geelong pipeline and groundwater.
“Despite below average rainfall, storages (have) enough for several years. In addition we can source water from the Victorian water grid through connection to Melbourne as well as call on groundwater,” he said.
“We are well placed in terms of ongoing water security because of the recent $750 million investment in capital projects. Barwon Water also has spent considerable time and money on recycled water projects, with two Class A plants now available.”
Mr Adamski said although staged restrictions were not required, the entire Barwon Water service region was currently under permanent water saving rules to prevent water wastage.
