As of yesterday, the system - which includes nine reservoirs - contained 17,523 megalitres of water.

This is an 83-megalitre rise on last week's total of 17,440 megalitres.

However, Central Highlands Water communications officer Shelley Best said the full effect of the rain will not be known until next week, as it depends on inflows.

"Obviously we've had amazing rainfall but the big news for water levels is that consumption dropped in the last week,'' Ms Best said.

Ballarat's consumption fell to 196 megalitres this week from 223 megalitres last week, which Ms Best described as a good result.

"This is probably due to rainfall, tanks filling and the milder conditions we have been experiencing,'' she said.

Some of Ballarat's reservoirs did receive a sizeable boost from the rain, with Moorabool reporting a 29- megalitre rise from last week. Lal Lal Reservoir rose by 20 megalitres and Wilsons gained 18 megalitres. Other reservoirs

showed no change while Pincotts actually recorded a fall of one megalitre.

Another pleasing sight for many locals is the return of large puddles of water in Lake Wendouree.

A City of Ballarat spokesperson said it is still too early to know what the rain will mean for water levels at the lake.

Ballarat Mayor Judy Verlin said the weekend highlighted the importance of investing in stormwater infrastructure.

"With this infrastructure we will be able to maximise what water we get through storms," Cr Verlin said.

The soggy long weekend has brought the wettest start to autumn in Ballarat for 51 years.