Local water supplies are secure “well into the future” as Geelong’s population continues swelling with new growth areas, according to Barwon Water’s managing director.
Tracey Slatter backed the authority’s supply strategy as local storage levels fell for an eighth consecutive week to 60.7 per cent of capacity.
The storages finished the seven days to Tuesday this week 550 million litres lower despite recording 34mm of rain over the same time.
Weekly consumption was more than 623 million litres, Barwon Water reported.
Ms Slatter described the storage levels as “good” despite below-average rain.
“We’ve been keeping a close eye on our water storage levels and continually forecast supply-and-demand scenarios to ensure we have more than enough water available for our growing population,” she said.
“Our long-term analysis of water supply and demand for the Geelong region, taking into account population growth over the next 50 years, indicates water supplies are secure well into the future. “
Geelong’s growth projections include 110,000 residents in two recently proposed growth areas to the city’s north and west. The city’s Armstrong Creek growth area to the south is forecast to eventually accommodate 60,000 residents, while tens of thousands more are set to settle around coastal areas including Torquay and Ocean Grove.
The number of local water consumers has tripled since the start of the 1960s, with Barwon Water now supplying more than 300,000 people.
However, the average resident’s water consumption had fallen in recent decades, Ms Slatter said.
“The security of our water supply is supported by the great water saving habits of our community, who have cut their water consumption by almost a quarter since the early 1980s,” she said.
“Water demand has reduced by about 24 per cent, from more than 44,000 mega-litres a year in 1981/1982 to 34,000 mega-litres in 2016/17.”
