Water data and information pack

Perth

Climate

Overview

Perth has more sunny days annually than any other Australian capital city. Rainfall is highest between May and September. February is usually the hottest month of the year, with temperatures averaging 31°C. A sea breeze called ‘The Fremantle Doctor' provides some relief from the heat. Winters are relatively cool and wet with daytime temperatures ranging from 18-21°C.The mild Perth winter (June - August) is the rainy season, with cool sunny days. There are occasional storms, characterised by downpours of rain and thunderstorms.

Temperature Data (2014) (oC)

Statistic / Jan / Feb / Mar / Apr / May / Jun / Jul / Aug / Sep / Oct / Nov / Dec
Highest daily / 43.3 / 37.5 / 38.0 / 34.6 / 23.8 / 24.6 / 23.0 / 26.9 / 34.2 / 35.4 / 37.8 / 39.3
Lowest daily / 25.6 / 28.5 / 23.4 / 19.4 / 17.0 / 15.6 / 15.7 / 17.7 / 17.1 / 19.3 / 21.6 / 23.6
Monthly mean / 32.2 / 33.2 / 30.3 / 26.5 / 21.4 / 19.6 / 18.5 / 21.6 / 22.0 / 24.5 / 26.2 / 28.9

Source: Climate Data Online (Perth Metro, WA)

Rainfall Data (2014) (ml)

Year / Jan / Feb / Mar / Apr / May / Jun / Jul / Aug / Sep / Oct / Nov / Dec / Annual
2014 / 0.2 / 0.0 / 7.4 / 24.6 / 152.6 / 93.6 / 151.2 / 107.0 / 77.0 / 37.0 / 23.8 / 0.0 / 674.4

Source: Climate Data Online (Perth Metro, WA)

Water storage

Perth's potable water is supplied from the Integrated Water Supply Scheme. Surface water storages contribute about one-third of the supply. Groundwater and desalinated sea water supply the rest. Water Corporation manages the Integrated Water Supply Scheme, including the system of storages which supply Perth.

Perth, Western Australia
Total number of storages / 11
Total dam capacity / 584,655ML
Latest volume / 141,647ML
Current storage level (%) / 24.2%

Source:

Streamflow – water flowing into dams to fill them

Our dam catchments and rainfall -

We need steady, regular rain in order to soak our catchments and get the streams flowing into our dams. Slowly declining rainfall means Perth's dams receive much less streamflow than in years past.

Perth’s current streamflow amount is 0 GL

Source:

Year / Amount of water flowing into dam storage
2013 / 54.4 GL
2012 / 79 GL
2011 / 12 GL
2010 / 143 GL

Desalination as a water source

As Western Australia continues to experience a drying climate, it is important that we bring on new and sustainable water sources that are climate independent.

Desalination is not our only option for the future, but it is an important one. It is a more secure drinking water source than traditional surface and groundwater sources as it does not rely on rainfall.

Almost half of Perth’s water needs – about 150 billion litres a year – is supplied by water desalinated at our two desalination plants.

Source:

Melbourne / Perth
Amount of water sourced from desalination plants per year / 0 ML / 150000ML

Groundwater as a water source

What is groundwater?

Groundwater is made up from rain which percolates down through the rocks and soils and into aquifers.

Over the past 10 years we have expanded our use of the deepest and most robust groundwater for supply to Perth.

Perth’s groundwater system remains vital to meeting their water needs and makes up about 40% of our total supply.

To ensure the sustainability of our groundwater, we are investing in a new expanded deep groundwater network. By 2022, around half of Perth’s water drinking water will come from secure deep groundwater sources.

Melbourne / Perth
Amount of water sourced from ground water per year / 0 ML / 159000ML

Groundwater replenishment

With fresh water thinking, we are replenishing groundwater. This innovative process involves treating wastewater to drinking water standards and recharging it into existing groundwater supplies. The water is then stored and removed some time later for further treatment, ready to supply our drinking water system.

Groundwater replenishment will help WA become more climate independent and could potentially provide up to 20% of Perth’s drinking water supplies by 2060.

Following the successful completion of our 3 year Groundwater Replenishment Trial at the end of 2012, and the State Government's approval in August 2013, we are planning to construct a full-scale Groundwater Replenishment Scheme.

Due for completion by 2016, the scheme will be able to recharge 14 billion litres of recycled water, treated to drinking water standards, into our groundwater system each year.

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Population

  • Perth is one of the fastest growing cities in Australia.
  • It is the fourth most populous city in Australia, with an estimated population of2.02 million(on 30 June 2014) living in Greater Perth.
  • Perth is projected to have a population of 5.5 million in 2061.
  • Greater Perth had a population density of 310 people per sq km.
  • 4 millionpeople visited Perth in the year Sep 13 – Sep 14

Source:

Water usage – per person per day

In Perth, people used an average of 361 litres of water each day. (2012-13)

Residential (houses) use represented 71% of total water use.

Non-residential (schools, hospitals, factories, etc.) used 18% of the total water.

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