JOURNAL OF FACTS
Water usage and restrictions
The ACT has been under mandatory water restrictions since December 2002. During this time, the total annual water consumption, measured by ActewAGL, has decreased. In the 2002-03 financial year the ACT's total annual water consumption was 65,569 ML. By 2007-08 consumption had declined to 43,556 ML. As at 9 February, the 2008-09 year to date consumption stands at 27,121 ML.
Stage 3 water restrictions apply within the ACT, with a water consumption target of 250L per person per day.
Climate and rainfall
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) recorded 530.4mm of rainfall at Canberra Airport during 2008. This was approximately 86.4mm below the historical annual average of 616.8mm. The wettest months of 2008 were November and December with above average rainfall.
According to the BoM, 2008 was the 12th consecutive year with above average temperatures. The average minimum temperature recorded at Canberra Airport was 7.1°C, while the average maximum temperature recorded was 20.4°C.
The lowest temperature recorded in 2008 was -5.3°C (recorded on 25 July, at Tuggeranong), while the highest was 35.8°C (recorded on 11 January, at Canberra Airport and 15 March, at Tuggeranong).
Sources
ActewAGL
Bureau of Meteorology
