Lake Wendouree topped up with groundwater

Owing to the excessive heat that Australia has been dealing with recently, Lake Wendouree is now about 275 millimetres below full, compared to about 190 millimetres below capacity at the same time last year – meaning huge complications for the local inhabitants.

In a bid to compensate the problem, Ballarat City Council has resorted to topping up the dwindling in the lake with groundwater from the Central Highlands Water bore in Ring Road, the Courier reports.

The problem has been a concern for inhabitants and the local council since around mid-December when the drought began.

Indeed, since Christmas Day, only 1.2 millimetres of rain have been recorded in Ballarat.

It seems that the temperature is increasing year-on-year in the area, as last year’s rainfall of 633 millimetres was well below 2010 and 2011 levels, and this year is even lower.

The council planned on using recycled water from the Ballarat North treatment plant, however because of a lack of recycled supplies, bore water is being used instead.

A Ballarat City Council spokesperson said low water levels were normal at this time of year, and enabled run-off from summer storms to be properly managed.

“Water supply for the lake includes recycled water and stormwater and stormwater inflows, with additional groundwater used when required,” the spokesperson said.

“The cost of additional water falls under a commercial-in-confidence agreement between council and Central Highlands Water.”

Although the cost of installation is expensive, the spokesperson also went on to claim that the economic benefit of restoring the lake has been estimated at $5.4 million.

The spokesperson also sought to put people's fears at bay, claiming that the lake is being monitored daily and that the council is on top of the problem.

“Fluctuating water levels are normal and provide a healthier environment for fish, birdlife and aquatic plants in the lake,” they said.