1. By Maddie Weber

2. Throughout history people have switched to systems to make getting and using water much easier. Early Rome had indoor plumbing, meaning a system of aqueducts (bridge that takes water across a valley) and pipes that terminated in homes and at public wells and fountains for people to use. London’s water supply infrastructure developed over many centuries from early mediaeval inflections, through a major 19th century treatment works, built in response to cholera threats, to modern large scale reservoirs.

3. The technique of sanitization of drinking water by use of compressed liquefied chlorine gas was developed in 1910 by U.S. Army Major (later Brig. Gen.) Carl Rogers Darnall (1867-1941), Professor of Chemistry at the Army Medical School. Shortly thereafter, Major (later Col.) William J. L. Lyster (1869-1947) of the Army Medical Department used a solution of calcium hypochlorite in a linen bag to treat water. For many decades, Lyster's method remained the standard for U.S. ground forces in the field and in camps, implemented in the form of the familiar Lyster Bag (also spelled Lister Bag). Darnall's work became the basis for present day systems of municipal water 'purification'.

4. Storage Levels – July 2010 The total volume in Victoria’s major storages increased by 5.1% to 39.6% of total capacity during July. The major regional water storages increased by 5.6% to 40.2%. Melbourne’s storages are holding 35.5% of capacity, 1.7% higher than at the end of June.

10. Per person average water use for Melbourne (liters per day select years)

11. Households use the majority of Melbourne’s water! More than half of the water about 60 per cent, from our reservoirs - is used by residential users, families at home. About 30% used in industry - factories, businesses, schools and councils. Around 10 per cent is called ‘non revenue’ water. This includes leaks, water used by fire-fighters, stolen or is unaccounted for as a result of meter inaccuracies. 20% of water used at home is in the garden. 30% is used in the shower. 50% is used for washing clothes, flushing the toilet, using the dishwasher, having baths and other general tap use.