A desalination order is likely to be made to secure Victoria’s drinking water supply.
The State water Minister Lisa Neville said extremely dry conditions mean Melbourne’s water supply is down to 55.7 per cent and places like Geelong are at 41 per cent.
Ms Neville also said dry and fire-damaged ground means rain will not end up in the water system.
The minister said that the order will be critical for Victorian water security going forward.