According to G-MW managing director, David Stewart, record low inflows mean the region is entering the 2008/09 season with extremely low water reserves and future allocations will depend on inflows over coming months.

"Our region faces a serious water shortage," Mr Stewart said.

"There is enough water to supply essential human needs in our systems, but we need good winter and spring inflows to cover system operating requirements.

"If these operating requirements are met, we can make allocations to customers and we can begin running the channel systems to deliver supplies including carryover."

G-MW says it is also liaising with customers and industry groups in developing strategies for the coming season.

"July, August and September are usually the peak inflow months so there is potential for this situation to improve if we see substantial inflows, but the region is extremely dry so the catchments need to get wet before we will see sustained inflows," Mr Stewart said.

"Customers can take delivery of 2007/08 allocation carryover once the delivery system is running in their area.

"This will happen when their Water Corporation has covered its system operating requirements.

"At this stage there is not enough water to guarantee that the channel networks and some river systems will be available for operation for the whole season."

Where carryover of allocated water is available, entitlement holders who did not use their full allocation last season will have their carryover automatically calculated and credited to their allocation bank accounts in accordance with the carryover rules.