National Water Account shows increased pressure on water resources

26/06/2014

The Bureau of Meteorology has released its National Water Account 2013 Summary, a comprehensive record of water resources for the 2012-13 year.

Bureau of Meteorology Water Information Services acting Branch Head Dr Grace Mitchell, said drier conditions in 2012-13 contributed to reduced inflows to storages and higher water use across much of Australia.

"The National Water Account Summary shows that total water use increased by 35 per cent in 2012-13 compared to the previous year," Dr Mitchell said.

"This increase was largely in agriculture and was due to a relative abundance of water and lower rainfall compared to the previous year 2011-12, which was wetter than average.

"Surface water storage volumes fell during 2012-13, from 93 per cent of capacity at the start of the year to 75 per cent at year end."

"We also know that national storage volumes have since fallen further and are now at 63 per cent."

Dr Mitchell said while the National Water Account builds a comprehensive record over time, the Bureau’s Water Storage iPhone application and website provides daily information on water storage volume at state, catchment and reservoir levels.

"The National Water Account Summary is part of the Bureau’s National Water Account, comprising nine regional reports. The 2012-13 Account marks the fourth account in the series," Dr Mitchell said.

The Bureau has also released the final two regional reports for 2012-13, covering the Murray-Darling Basin and South East Queensland, Dr Mitchell said.

"The Murray-Darling Basin, which accounts for a significant proportion of national water use, experienced below average rainfall and decreased storage inflows. Storage volumes fell from 91 per cent capacity at the start of the 2012-13 year to 69 per cent at the end of the year," she said.

"The delivery of this yearly account is a key part of the Council of Australian Governments’ National Water Initiative. It assists in water policy and management decisions and increases public and investor confidence in our management of this essential resource for the long term."

The nine regions currently covered in the Account are home to about 80 per cent of Australia’s population and represent 70-80 per cent of total water use.

The Account brings together data from more than 51 water agencies and partners to provide the most comprehensive water information report available in Australia.

Go to National Water Account for further information.