❓ A WA parliamentary question probes the Minister on the Water Corporation's groundwater extraction capacity during drought, seeking transparency on advice received and justification for water restrictions, while also questioning the Corporation's messaging and water loss due to evaporation.
AnsweredQoN 482Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) When was the Minister first advised, last year, by the Water Corporation that there is scope for extracting more ground water through established infrastructure in response to the drought conditions?
(2) What advice did the Water Corporation give the Minister at the time with regard to the maximum capacity for ground water supplies to be increased over the 2001/02 year?
(3) Was the Minister advised at any time last year that water restrictions can be avoided by extracting more ground water?
(4) Was the Minister advised at any time last year that higher levels of ground water extraction could be used to make the water restrictions less restrictive and allow an extra day or more of watering?
(5) Is the Minister willing to table all advice he received last year from the Water Corporation with respect to the capacity of the Corporation to respond to the drought conditions?
(6) If not, why not?
(7) Can the Minister categorically state that the current water restrictions applying to Perth water scheme users are the result of a lack of water supply options only?
(8) If there were other factors which led to the water restrictions, what were they?
(9) Can the Minister obtain, and table in Parliament, an unambiguous statement from the Water Corporation confirming that, given the existence of unused ground water supply capacity, there was no other option available than the current watering restrictions?
(10) If not, why not?
(11) Why is the Water Corporation raising the spectre of ongoing restrictions in its advertising campaign?
(12) How many gigalitres of water could the Water Corporation add to storage during the next six months if it extracted ground water at its maximum capacity?
(13) How many gigalitres of water were lost to evaporation over the past four months?
(14) How many gigalitres of water were lost to evaporation over the summer months last year?
(2) What advice did the Water Corporation give the Minister at the time with regard to the maximum capacity for ground water supplies to be increased over the 2001/02 year?
(3) Was the Minister advised at any time last year that water restrictions can be avoided by extracting more ground water?
(4) Was the Minister advised at any time last year that higher levels of ground water extraction could be used to make the water restrictions less restrictive and allow an extra day or more of watering?
(5) Is the Minister willing to table all advice he received last year from the Water Corporation with respect to the capacity of the Corporation to respond to the drought conditions?
(6) If not, why not?
(7) Can the Minister categorically state that the current water restrictions applying to Perth water scheme users are the result of a lack of water supply options only?
(8) If there were other factors which led to the water restrictions, what were they?
(9) Can the Minister obtain, and table in Parliament, an unambiguous statement from the Water Corporation confirming that, given the existence of unused ground water supply capacity, there was no other option available than the current watering restrictions?
(10) If not, why not?
(11) Why is the Water Corporation raising the spectre of ongoing restrictions in its advertising campaign?
(12) How many gigalitres of water could the Water Corporation add to storage during the next six months if it extracted ground water at its maximum capacity?
(13) How many gigalitres of water were lost to evaporation over the past four months?
(14) How many gigalitres of water were lost to evaporation over the summer months last year?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
27 March 2002
Responded by
Minister for Government Enterprises
Response time
14 days
2. I understood from various briefings from the Water Corporation during 2001 that extraction was being maximised within what was deemed environmentally responsible management of the available groundwater resource. 3. No. 4. No. 5 & 6 No. However, I believe a joint briefing by officers from both the Water Corporation and the Water and Rivers Commission would be a more efficient mechanism to acquaint the Honourable Member with the events as they evolved during 2001. 7. No. 8. The extremely poor inflow to the surface water storages supplying Perth during 2001 was the cause of the current restrictions. 9. No. 10. The Water Corporation is not able to trade off significant environmental values against a desire to make additional water available for the watering of lawns and gardens. 11. The surface water storages will be at record low levels at the end of summer. The Water Corporation recognises that even with average winter inflows during 2002 there will be great pressure on both surface and groundwater resources. The commissioning of the new Harvey Dam and additional groundwater bores at Gwelup and Mirrabooka reduce, but do not remove, the risk that restrictions will be needed for another year. 12. 11 GL 13. 17 GL, estimated evaporation for the four months, November2001 to February 2002. 14. 15 GL, estimated evaporation for Summer, December 2000 to February 2001.
3. No. 4. No. 5 & 6 No. However, I believe a joint briefing by officers from both the Water Corporation and the Water and Rivers Commission would be a more efficient mechanism to acquaint the Honourable Member with the events as they evolved during 2001. 7. No. 8. The extremely poor inflow to the surface water storages supplying Perth during 2001 was the cause of the current restrictions. 9. No. 10. The Water Corporation is not able to trade off significant environmental values against a desire to make additional water available for the watering of lawns and gardens. 11. The surface water storages will be at record low levels at the end of summer. The Water Corporation recognises that even with average winter inflows during 2002 there will be great pressure on both surface and groundwater resources. The commissioning of the new Harvey Dam and additional groundwater bores at Gwelup and Mirrabooka reduce, but do not remove, the risk that restrictions will be needed for another year. 12. 11 GL 13. 17 GL, estimated evaporation for the four months, November2001 to February 2002. 14. 15 GL, estimated evaporation for Summer, December 2000 to February 2001.
4. No. 5 & 6 No. However, I believe a joint briefing by officers from both the Water Corporation and the Water and Rivers Commission would be a more efficient mechanism to acquaint the Honourable Member with the events as they evolved during 2001. 7. No. 8. The extremely poor inflow to the surface water storages supplying Perth during 2001 was the cause of the current restrictions. 9. No. 10. The Water Corporation is not able to trade off significant environmental values against a desire to make additional water available for the watering of lawns and gardens. 11. The surface water storages will be at record low levels at the end of summer. The Water Corporation recognises that even with average winter inflows during 2002 there will be great pressure on both surface and groundwater resources. The commissioning of the new Harvey Dam and additional groundwater bores at Gwelup and Mirrabooka reduce, but do not remove, the risk that restrictions will be needed for another year. 12. 11 GL 13. 17 GL, estimated evaporation for the four months, November2001 to February 2002. 14. 15 GL, estimated evaporation for Summer, December 2000 to February 2001.
5 & 6 No. However, I believe a joint briefing by officers from both the Water Corporation and the Water and Rivers Commission would be a more efficient mechanism to acquaint the Honourable Member with the events as they evolved during 2001. 7. No. 8. The extremely poor inflow to the surface water storages supplying Perth during 2001 was the cause of the current restrictions. 9. No. 10. The Water Corporation is not able to trade off significant environmental values against a desire to make additional water available for the watering of lawns and gardens. 11. The surface water storages will be at record low levels at the end of summer. The Water Corporation recognises that even with average winter inflows during 2002 there will be great pressure on both surface and groundwater resources. The commissioning of the new Harvey Dam and additional groundwater bores at Gwelup and Mirrabooka reduce, but do not remove, the risk that restrictions will be needed for another year. 12. 11 GL 13. 17 GL, estimated evaporation for the four months, November2001 to February 2002. 14. 15 GL, estimated evaporation for Summer, December 2000 to February 2001.
7. No. 8. The extremely poor inflow to the surface water storages supplying Perth during 2001 was the cause of the current restrictions. 9. No. 10. The Water Corporation is not able to trade off significant environmental values against a desire to make additional water available for the watering of lawns and gardens. 11. The surface water storages will be at record low levels at the end of summer. The Water Corporation recognises that even with average winter inflows during 2002 there will be great pressure on both surface and groundwater resources. The commissioning of the new Harvey Dam and additional groundwater bores at Gwelup and Mirrabooka reduce, but do not remove, the risk that restrictions will be needed for another year. 12. 11 GL 13. 17 GL, estimated evaporation for the four months, November2001 to February 2002. 14. 15 GL, estimated evaporation for Summer, December 2000 to February 2001.
8. The extremely poor inflow to the surface water storages supplying Perth during 2001 was the cause of the current restrictions. 9. No. 10. The Water Corporation is not able to trade off significant environmental values against a desire to make additional water available for the watering of lawns and gardens. 11. The surface water storages will be at record low levels at the end of summer. The Water Corporation recognises that even with average winter inflows during 2002 there will be great pressure on both surface and groundwater resources. The commissioning of the new Harvey Dam and additional groundwater bores at Gwelup and Mirrabooka reduce, but do not remove, the risk that restrictions will be needed for another year. 12. 11 GL 13. 17 GL, estimated evaporation for the four months, November2001 to February 2002. 14. 15 GL, estimated evaporation for Summer, December 2000 to February 2001.
9. No. 10. The Water Corporation is not able to trade off significant environmental values against a desire to make additional water available for the watering of lawns and gardens. 11. The surface water storages will be at record low levels at the end of summer. The Water Corporation recognises that even with average winter inflows during 2002 there will be great pressure on both surface and groundwater resources. The commissioning of the new Harvey Dam and additional groundwater bores at Gwelup and Mirrabooka reduce, but do not remove, the risk that restrictions will be needed for another year. 12. 11 GL 13. 17 GL, estimated evaporation for the four months, November2001 to February 2002. 14. 15 GL, estimated evaporation for Summer, December 2000 to February 2001.
10. The Water Corporation is not able to trade off significant environmental values against a desire to make additional water available for the watering of lawns and gardens. 11. The surface water storages will be at record low levels at the end of summer. The Water Corporation recognises that even with average winter inflows during 2002 there will be great pressure on both surface and groundwater resources. The commissioning of the new Harvey Dam and additional groundwater bores at Gwelup and Mirrabooka reduce, but do not remove, the risk that restrictions will be needed for another year. 12. 11 GL 13. 17 GL, estimated evaporation for the four months, November2001 to February 2002. 14. 15 GL, estimated evaporation for Summer, December 2000 to February 2001.
11. The surface water storages will be at record low levels at the end of summer. The Water Corporation recognises that even with average winter inflows during 2002 there will be great pressure on both surface and groundwater resources. The commissioning of the new Harvey Dam and additional groundwater bores at Gwelup and Mirrabooka reduce, but do not remove, the risk that restrictions will be needed for another year. 12. 11 GL 13. 17 GL, estimated evaporation for the four months, November2001 to February 2002. 14. 15 GL, estimated evaporation for Summer, December 2000 to February 2001.
12. 11 GL 13. 17 GL, estimated evaporation for the four months, November2001 to February 2002. 14. 15 GL, estimated evaporation for Summer, December 2000 to February 2001.
13. 17 GL, estimated evaporation for the four months, November2001 to February 2002. 14. 15 GL, estimated evaporation for Summer, December 2000 to February 2001.
14. 15 GL, estimated evaporation for Summer, December 2000 to February 2001.
3. No. 4. No. 5 & 6 No. However, I believe a joint briefing by officers from both the Water Corporation and the Water and Rivers Commission would be a more efficient mechanism to acquaint the Honourable Member with the events as they evolved during 2001. 7. No. 8. The extremely poor inflow to the surface water storages supplying Perth during 2001 was the cause of the current restrictions. 9. No. 10. The Water Corporation is not able to trade off significant environmental values against a desire to make additional water available for the watering of lawns and gardens. 11. The surface water storages will be at record low levels at the end of summer. The Water Corporation recognises that even with average winter inflows during 2002 there will be great pressure on both surface and groundwater resources. The commissioning of the new Harvey Dam and additional groundwater bores at Gwelup and Mirrabooka reduce, but do not remove, the risk that restrictions will be needed for another year. 12. 11 GL 13. 17 GL, estimated evaporation for the four months, November2001 to February 2002. 14. 15 GL, estimated evaporation for Summer, December 2000 to February 2001.
4. No. 5 & 6 No. However, I believe a joint briefing by officers from both the Water Corporation and the Water and Rivers Commission would be a more efficient mechanism to acquaint the Honourable Member with the events as they evolved during 2001. 7. No. 8. The extremely poor inflow to the surface water storages supplying Perth during 2001 was the cause of the current restrictions. 9. No. 10. The Water Corporation is not able to trade off significant environmental values against a desire to make additional water available for the watering of lawns and gardens. 11. The surface water storages will be at record low levels at the end of summer. The Water Corporation recognises that even with average winter inflows during 2002 there will be great pressure on both surface and groundwater resources. The commissioning of the new Harvey Dam and additional groundwater bores at Gwelup and Mirrabooka reduce, but do not remove, the risk that restrictions will be needed for another year. 12. 11 GL 13. 17 GL, estimated evaporation for the four months, November2001 to February 2002. 14. 15 GL, estimated evaporation for Summer, December 2000 to February 2001.
5 & 6 No. However, I believe a joint briefing by officers from both the Water Corporation and the Water and Rivers Commission would be a more efficient mechanism to acquaint the Honourable Member with the events as they evolved during 2001. 7. No. 8. The extremely poor inflow to the surface water storages supplying Perth during 2001 was the cause of the current restrictions. 9. No. 10. The Water Corporation is not able to trade off significant environmental values against a desire to make additional water available for the watering of lawns and gardens. 11. The surface water storages will be at record low levels at the end of summer. The Water Corporation recognises that even with average winter inflows during 2002 there will be great pressure on both surface and groundwater resources. The commissioning of the new Harvey Dam and additional groundwater bores at Gwelup and Mirrabooka reduce, but do not remove, the risk that restrictions will be needed for another year. 12. 11 GL 13. 17 GL, estimated evaporation for the four months, November2001 to February 2002. 14. 15 GL, estimated evaporation for Summer, December 2000 to February 2001.
7. No. 8. The extremely poor inflow to the surface water storages supplying Perth during 2001 was the cause of the current restrictions. 9. No. 10. The Water Corporation is not able to trade off significant environmental values against a desire to make additional water available for the watering of lawns and gardens. 11. The surface water storages will be at record low levels at the end of summer. The Water Corporation recognises that even with average winter inflows during 2002 there will be great pressure on both surface and groundwater resources. The commissioning of the new Harvey Dam and additional groundwater bores at Gwelup and Mirrabooka reduce, but do not remove, the risk that restrictions will be needed for another year. 12. 11 GL 13. 17 GL, estimated evaporation for the four months, November2001 to February 2002. 14. 15 GL, estimated evaporation for Summer, December 2000 to February 2001.
8. The extremely poor inflow to the surface water storages supplying Perth during 2001 was the cause of the current restrictions. 9. No. 10. The Water Corporation is not able to trade off significant environmental values against a desire to make additional water available for the watering of lawns and gardens. 11. The surface water storages will be at record low levels at the end of summer. The Water Corporation recognises that even with average winter inflows during 2002 there will be great pressure on both surface and groundwater resources. The commissioning of the new Harvey Dam and additional groundwater bores at Gwelup and Mirrabooka reduce, but do not remove, the risk that restrictions will be needed for another year. 12. 11 GL 13. 17 GL, estimated evaporation for the four months, November2001 to February 2002. 14. 15 GL, estimated evaporation for Summer, December 2000 to February 2001.
9. No. 10. The Water Corporation is not able to trade off significant environmental values against a desire to make additional water available for the watering of lawns and gardens. 11. The surface water storages will be at record low levels at the end of summer. The Water Corporation recognises that even with average winter inflows during 2002 there will be great pressure on both surface and groundwater resources. The commissioning of the new Harvey Dam and additional groundwater bores at Gwelup and Mirrabooka reduce, but do not remove, the risk that restrictions will be needed for another year. 12. 11 GL 13. 17 GL, estimated evaporation for the four months, November2001 to February 2002. 14. 15 GL, estimated evaporation for Summer, December 2000 to February 2001.
10. The Water Corporation is not able to trade off significant environmental values against a desire to make additional water available for the watering of lawns and gardens. 11. The surface water storages will be at record low levels at the end of summer. The Water Corporation recognises that even with average winter inflows during 2002 there will be great pressure on both surface and groundwater resources. The commissioning of the new Harvey Dam and additional groundwater bores at Gwelup and Mirrabooka reduce, but do not remove, the risk that restrictions will be needed for another year. 12. 11 GL 13. 17 GL, estimated evaporation for the four months, November2001 to February 2002. 14. 15 GL, estimated evaporation for Summer, December 2000 to February 2001.
11. The surface water storages will be at record low levels at the end of summer. The Water Corporation recognises that even with average winter inflows during 2002 there will be great pressure on both surface and groundwater resources. The commissioning of the new Harvey Dam and additional groundwater bores at Gwelup and Mirrabooka reduce, but do not remove, the risk that restrictions will be needed for another year. 12. 11 GL 13. 17 GL, estimated evaporation for the four months, November2001 to February 2002. 14. 15 GL, estimated evaporation for Summer, December 2000 to February 2001.
12. 11 GL 13. 17 GL, estimated evaporation for the four months, November2001 to February 2002. 14. 15 GL, estimated evaporation for Summer, December 2000 to February 2001.
13. 17 GL, estimated evaporation for the four months, November2001 to February 2002. 14. 15 GL, estimated evaporation for Summer, December 2000 to February 2001.
14. 15 GL, estimated evaporation for Summer, December 2000 to February 2001.
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