Water Security Update – October 2025

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Candowie Reservoir level and customer demand

31 October 2025

  • As at 31 October 2025, our primary water storage, Candowie Reservoir, is 52% full. This compares with 65% at the same time last year.
  • Water demand has increased slightly compared to the previous calendar year, with customer consumption to the end of September at 1,924 ML, up from 1,859 ML in 2024.

 

Rainfall in the Candowie Catchment

Year-to-date rainfall (January – October) in the Candowie Catchment was 489 mm, which is significantly lower than both the five-year average of 729 mm, and the 587 mm recorded over the same period last year.

 

Key Messages

  • We continue to monitor water resources carefully, and we’re actively considering all options to manage demand in response to low rainfall and below-average inflows.
  • We are currently reviewing all data and updating our Annual Water Outlook (AWO) for the year ahead, which will be published from 1 December 2025.
  • The AWO is being developed using data on winter and spring inflows, the latest rainfall forecasts from the Bureau of Meteorology, and insights from our Urban Water Strategy.
  • While current water supplies are sufficient to meet demand, we remain mindful of the long-term outlook and may consider water restrictions if conditions require.
  • Permanent Water Saving Rules remain in place across Victoria. These rules are a set of common-sense rules that are applied every day of the year to ensure Victorians use water efficiently.
  • We are optimistic that water restrictions can be avoided, supported by the availability of alternative water sources, including our bulk entitlement from the Bass River and access to Victoria’s Water Grid.
  • Following recent rainfall events, Bass River is meeting the flow requirements for Westernport Water to pump water from Bass River into Candowie Reservoir to supplement supply.
  • Westernport Water’s overall water supply is more than what’s stored in Candowie Reservoir. Our connection to Victoria’s Water Grid gives us access to diverse water supplies and makes us less vulnerable to dry conditions.
  • We have been able to lean on our connection to Victoria’s Water Grid to ensure storage levels continue to grow, giving us greater security and flexibility in meeting demand.
  • Westernport Water’s water supply is being supported by the ongoing delivery of 50 billion litres of desalinated water this year from the Victorian Desalination Plant.
  • The Victorian Desalination Plant plays a role, not only does it provide water security for Greater Melbourne, but also for connected communities in regional areas like the Bass Coast.