Dry summer hits SW dam levels

THE Water Corporation is confident there is sufficient supply in their South West dams to meet demand, despite a dry summer lowering levels.

Drinking water dam levels across the South West are at an average of 49 per cent capacity, which is just under 4 per cent lower than the same time last year.

Wellington Dam is at 78 per cent capacity, which is one per cent lower than the same time last year and about 15 per cent higher than two years ago.

During a dry summer, Bunbury recorded 0.4mm of rain in December, no rain in January and 6.8mm in February, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

Water Corporation South West regional manager John Janssen said the fact that Wellington Dam was in a similar position compared to last year indicated higher levels had been maintained throughout the year.

"Dam levels are holding well considering we have had an extremely dry summer to date," he said.

Mr Janssen said the Water Corporation expected dam levels to decline slowly over the coming months until winter rains arrived.

"We are confident we have sufficient supply in our dams to meet demand, however, we will continue to monitor the situation closely," he said.

"In some areas we will continue to transfer water from groundwater bores into our dams to make sure we can keep up with summer water demands.

"This includes Millstream Dam in Bridgetown, Manjimup Dam, Ten Mile Brook Dam in Margaret River and Tanjannerup Dam in Nannup."

Mr Janssen said he encouraged South West residents to continue to save water all year round.

"The Water Corporation would like to thank the community for continuing to observe the two day per week watering roster, and ask they continue to minimise the use of sprinklers for the remainder of summer," he said.