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Cool temperatures make 155 a soft target

Water authorities are urging Melburnians not to be complacent, despite good results in the first week of Target 155.

People used an average of 154 litres of water per person per day in the first week of the campaign designed to restrict water use to 155 litres per person per day.

Last summer's average use was 180 litres per person per day.

But officials are not celebrating yet, saying there was low water demand last week because of cooler conditions.

Target 155 spokesman, Tony Kelly says the goal will become harder attain.

"While we commend Melburnians' water saving efforts for the launch of Target 155, the cooler temperatures and rainfall we received this week have not really been a good test of the new target," he said.

"The community should not be lulled into thinking that the 155 target will be easy to achieve as we approach the hotter and drier summer months."

Mr Kelly says there are two key things people need to consider when cutting back their water use.

"One, take a shorter shower. You can save up to 15 litres per minute by taking a shorter shower, and the second thing to do is to exchange that old inefficient showerhead with a modern showerhead, and that'll save a further five or six litres for every minute in the shower."

New showerheads are available from Melbourne's water companies.

- ABC

© ABC 2008

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