WA: Rain does not mean water shortage over: premier
By Selina Day
PERTH, April 17 AAP - Rain over Perth did not mean the city's water shortage was overor that householders could become complacent with water use, West Australian Premier GeoffGallop said today.
Perth has a dire water shortage as a result of one of the driest periods on record,and residents are restricted by when they can water lawns and gardens.
But the heavens have opened in the past day and a half, dumping 78mm of rain and becominga major talking point.
The downpours have been so heavy that the rainfall in the 24 hours from 9am yesterdayto 9am today - 69.6mm - is the highest on record for a 24-hour period for the month ofApril.
The unfamiliar wet has led to localised flooding and a spate of accidents.
Water authorities, however, have cautioned that rain needs to fall right throughoutwinter to ensure good flows into Perth's dams and prevent sprinkler restrictions nextsummer.
Premier Gallop said today the rain would have a marginal effect on dam levels, currentlyunder 18 per cent.
"It has provided a reasonable start to wetting the catchments but we will need about300mm in total before streams start to run," Dr Gallop said.
"I urge people not to become complacent. We still have a water shortage. A few goodshowers do not mean the drought has broken."
Such is the extent of Perth's water shortage, residents are legally restricted to usingsprinklers on lawns and gardens on only two days a week.
Following the rain, residents have been asked not to water their gardens for at least a week.
AAP sd/mjm/de
KEYWORD: WATER
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