ABC News. July 25, 2012 16:02:54

So far this month, 27.8 millimetres of rain has fallen in the metropolitan area.

The average for July is 169.6 millimetres.

The previous low was when recording first began in 1876 and the city received 61.5 millimetres.

As a result of the low rainfall, just 5.2 billion litres has trickled into the state’s dams so far this year.

The Water Minister Bill Marmion says that is well below average.

“Historically, you’d get 300 or 400 billion litres a year that would fill our dams but now we’re down to, on average, about 100, but two years ago we only got 13,” he said.

The Water Corporation says it is hopeful later winter rains will help boost dam levels.

The Corporation’s Clare Lugar says heavy winter rains may still be on the way.

“Traditionally we would have started to see those rains certainly at the start of June but now we’re starting to see them later and later,” she said.

“So, it’s pushing out the chance those dams will get some good inflow until much later in the winter.”