G-MW preliminary estimates indicate lowest ever water use
Communities, farmers and environmental managers are expected to record their lowest ever levels of water use in supply systems operated by the region's system manager, Goulburn-Murray Water (G-MW).
Since the end of the irrigation season in the channel irrigation areas on Friday 15 May, G-MW has been collating end of season data, and preliminary estimates indicate only 578,000 ML of water was delivered in G-MW's irrigation areas.
G-MW Managing Director, David Stewart said the 2008/09 Irrigation Area deliveries are barely a third of the average for the past 15 years. Over the past 15 years, which include at least 12 years of drought, deliveries in the irrigation areas have averaged 1,800,000 ML.
"The record low deliveries are a direct result of low allocations and customers choosing to carryover 2008/09 allocation to the 2009/10 season," said Mr Stewart.
Deliveries to irrigators and other water users on rivers and streams outside the irrigation areas are continuing through to 30 June 2009. Final measurements, including meter readings will need to be taken and G-MW's end of season system performance data will not be finalised until after 30 June 2009.
Due to low inflows into the Goulburn and Murray systems allocations were restricted to just over 30% - the second lowest allocation for the Goulburn System and the lowest ever for the Murray System.
"The Goulburn and Murray system allocations were boosted by the extraordinary service standards we put in place to minimise system losses and maximise volumes that could be allocated to customers. It involved considerable leadership by our customer committees and cooperation between customers and G-MW staff," said Mr Stewart.
With the cooperation of customers, G-MW at times didn't run 20-30 percent of its 6,300 km channel network, required customers along sections of the network to group their orders, ran channels at lower levels which impacted flows onto farm, and tankered in stock and domestic supplies.
"The way we have run the system this year is very different to normal operating arrangements. Our final system performance figures will not reflect the amount of water we would have lost if our customers hadn't worked with us and accepted extraordinary service levels that are simply unsustainable for G-MW and for our customers," said Mr Stewart.
Carryover was extended to all irrigation systems for the 2008/09 season, and this year the carryover limits were increased to allow customers to carryover 2008/09 season allocation equivalent to up to 50% of their high and low reliability water shares.
"Final numbers will not be confirmed until 30 June, but current indications suggest carryover by irrigation customers in the G-MW areas will be 155,000 ML this year, almost the same as last year's volume of 156,000 ML" said Mr Stewart.
"We are looking at the lowest deliveries on record and as a result the lowest ever system operating requirements. But the results also show that in dry years like 2008/09, our system operating requirements (losses) eat up a larger proportion of our very limited water resources," said Mr Stewart.
G-MW's preliminary estimates indicate system operating requirements in the Irrigation areas are around 343,000 ML, down from 372,000 ML last year.
"Despite significant effort to minimise losses, the volume of loss is very high in comparison to the volume delivered - this is not acceptable especially if we are to meet challenges of a hotter drier future. The results highlight the need to reduce losses and increase the delivery efficiency though modernising the supply system," said Mr Stewart.
Mr Stewart said the performance of automated sections of the channel network had been exceptional, and G-MW is currently finalising the results.
"We are very excited by some of the early data and will look to share this with the community shortly," said Mr Stewart.
"Tools such as channel automation that can help us improve how we deliver water when and where it's needed, as efficiently as possible will help our region respond to the challenges of climate change and drought," said Mr Stewart.
Mr Stewart said the key step to improving water security for farmer, local communities and environmental managers across northern Victoria is to improve overall distribution efficiency.
"The modernisation projects already underway will target our system losses - we won't need to set aside as much water to run the system, to fill channels, to offset system leaks, seeps, to allow for unplanned outfalls or to compensate for less accurate metering."
"We will be able to make allocations earlier in the season, allocate more water to farmers and deliver these resources at flow rates and service levels that enhance on-farm labour and water efficiency- in every season," said Mr Stewart.
- ENDS -
Media Contact: Linda Nieuwenhuizen
Position: Manager Stakeholder Relations
Telephone: 03 5833 5776 or 0412 183 792
