❓ A parliamentary question addresses the sustainability of Exmouth's water supply given increasing tourism and development, inquiring about water draw, recharge rates, future plans, and water quality compared to the metropolitan area. The response indicates current sustainability but acknowledges the need for future solutions like well field expansion and desalination.
AnsweredQoN 626Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
EXMOUTH WATER SUPPLY
I refer to the water supply and quality at Exmouth and the additional pressures placed on it by the anticipated increase in tourism and consequent development. (1) What was the average monthly water draw from Exmouth water supply for 2007? (2) What is the estimated annual recharge rate of Exmouth water supply? (3) Is the current draw on Exmouth water supply sustainable given anticipated future demand; and, if not — (a) what plans does the Water Corporation have to ensure that future demand will be met; and (b) has consideration been given to investigating the Minilya and/or Lyndon River system as a possible source of water for the future supply of Exmouth; and, if not, why not? (4) What are the salinity and water hardness levels from Exmouth water supply and how do these compare with levels in the metropolitan area? Hon KIM CHANCE
I refer to the water supply and quality at Exmouth and the additional pressures placed on it by the anticipated increase in tourism and consequent development. (1) What was the average monthly water draw from Exmouth water supply for 2007? (2) What is the estimated annual recharge rate of Exmouth water supply? (3) Is the current draw on Exmouth water supply sustainable given anticipated future demand; and, if not — (a) what plans does the Water Corporation have to ensure that future demand will be met; and (b) has consideration been given to investigating the Minilya and/or Lyndon River system as a possible source of water for the future supply of Exmouth; and, if not, why not? (4) What are the salinity and water hardness levels from Exmouth water supply and how do these compare with levels in the metropolitan area? Hon KIM CHANCE
AnswerView source ↗
I thank Hon Ken Baston for providing some notice of the question. (1) It is 69 315 kilolitres per month. (2) The recharge is based on local rainfall and abstraction is managed within the allocation licence issued by the Department of Water and based on sustainability principles. (3) The current draw is sustainable, but it is not sufficient for future demand — (a) the Water Corporation has planning in place for expansion of the well field and consideration of desalination; and (b) no consideration has been given to investigating the Minilya and/or Lyndon River system as the distance from Exmouth makes it uneconomical. (4) The combined sources in the metropolitan area provide an average of 570 megalitres salinity and 150 megalitres hardness. In Exmouth the salinity and hardness is 837 megalitres and 348 megalitres respectively.
(1) What was the average monthly water draw from Exmouth water supply for 2007? (2) What is the estimated annual recharge rate of Exmouth water supply? (3) Is the current draw on Exmouth water supply sustainable given anticipated future demand; and, if not — (a) what plans does the Water Corporation have to ensure that future demand will be met; and (b) has consideration been given to investigating the Minilya and/or Lyndon River system as a possible source of water for the future supply of Exmouth; and, if not, why not? (4) What are the salinity and water hardness levels from Exmouth water supply and how do these compare with levels in the metropolitan area? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Ken Baston for providing some notice of the question. (1) It is 69 315 kilolitres per month. (2) The recharge is based on local rainfall and abstraction is managed within the allocation licence issued by the Department of Water and based on sustainability principles. (3) The current draw is sustainable, but it is not sufficient for future demand — (a) the Water Corporation has planning in place for expansion of the well field and consideration of desalination; and (b) no consideration has been given to investigating the Minilya and/or Lyndon River system as the distance from Exmouth makes it uneconomical. (4) The combined sources in the metropolitan area provide an average of 570 megalitres salinity and 150 megalitres hardness. In Exmouth the salinity and hardness is 837 megalitres and 348 megalitres respectively.
(2) What is the estimated annual recharge rate of Exmouth water supply? (3) Is the current draw on Exmouth water supply sustainable given anticipated future demand; and, if not — (a) what plans does the Water Corporation have to ensure that future demand will be met; and (b) has consideration been given to investigating the Minilya and/or Lyndon River system as a possible source of water for the future supply of Exmouth; and, if not, why not? (4) What are the salinity and water hardness levels from Exmouth water supply and how do these compare with levels in the metropolitan area? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Ken Baston for providing some notice of the question. (1) It is 69 315 kilolitres per month. (2) The recharge is based on local rainfall and abstraction is managed within the allocation licence issued by the Department of Water and based on sustainability principles. (3) The current draw is sustainable, but it is not sufficient for future demand — (a) the Water Corporation has planning in place for expansion of the well field and consideration of desalination; and (b) no consideration has been given to investigating the Minilya and/or Lyndon River system as the distance from Exmouth makes it uneconomical. (4) The combined sources in the metropolitan area provide an average of 570 megalitres salinity and 150 megalitres hardness. In Exmouth the salinity and hardness is 837 megalitres and 348 megalitres respectively.
(3) Is the current draw on Exmouth water supply sustainable given anticipated future demand; and, if not — (a) what plans does the Water Corporation have to ensure that future demand will be met; and (b) has consideration been given to investigating the Minilya and/or Lyndon River system as a possible source of water for the future supply of Exmouth; and, if not, why not? (4) What are the salinity and water hardness levels from Exmouth water supply and how do these compare with levels in the metropolitan area? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Ken Baston for providing some notice of the question. (1) It is 69 315 kilolitres per month. (2) The recharge is based on local rainfall and abstraction is managed within the allocation licence issued by the Department of Water and based on sustainability principles. (3) The current draw is sustainable, but it is not sufficient for future demand — (a) the Water Corporation has planning in place for expansion of the well field and consideration of desalination; and (b) no consideration has been given to investigating the Minilya and/or Lyndon River system as the distance from Exmouth makes it uneconomical. (4) The combined sources in the metropolitan area provide an average of 570 megalitres salinity and 150 megalitres hardness. In Exmouth the salinity and hardness is 837 megalitres and 348 megalitres respectively.
(b) has consideration been given to investigating the Minilya and/or Lyndon River system as a possible source of water for the future supply of Exmouth; and, if not, why not?
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Ken Baston for providing some notice of the question. (1) It is 69 315 kilolitres per month. (2) The recharge is based on local rainfall and abstraction is managed within the allocation licence issued by the Department of Water and based on sustainability principles. (3) The current draw is sustainable, but it is not sufficient for future demand — (a) the Water Corporation has planning in place for expansion of the well field and consideration of desalination; and (b) no consideration has been given to investigating the Minilya and/or Lyndon River system as the distance from Exmouth makes it uneconomical. (4) The combined sources in the metropolitan area provide an average of 570 megalitres salinity and 150 megalitres hardness. In Exmouth the salinity and hardness is 837 megalitres and 348 megalitres respectively.
I thank Hon Ken Baston for providing some notice of the question. (1) It is 69 315 kilolitres per month. (2) The recharge is based on local rainfall and abstraction is managed within the allocation licence issued by the Department of Water and based on sustainability principles. (3) The current draw is sustainable, but it is not sufficient for future demand — (a) the Water Corporation has planning in place for expansion of the well field and consideration of desalination; and (b) no consideration has been given to investigating the Minilya and/or Lyndon River system as the distance from Exmouth makes it uneconomical. (4) The combined sources in the metropolitan area provide an average of 570 megalitres salinity and 150 megalitres hardness. In Exmouth the salinity and hardness is 837 megalitres and 348 megalitres respectively.
(1) It is 69 315 kilolitres per month. (2) The recharge is based on local rainfall and abstraction is managed within the allocation licence issued by the Department of Water and based on sustainability principles. (3) The current draw is sustainable, but it is not sufficient for future demand — (a) the Water Corporation has planning in place for expansion of the well field and consideration of desalination; and (b) no consideration has been given to investigating the Minilya and/or Lyndon River system as the distance from Exmouth makes it uneconomical. (4) The combined sources in the metropolitan area provide an average of 570 megalitres salinity and 150 megalitres hardness. In Exmouth the salinity and hardness is 837 megalitres and 348 megalitres respectively.
(2) The recharge is based on local rainfall and abstraction is managed within the allocation licence issued by the Department of Water and based on sustainability principles. (3) The current draw is sustainable, but it is not sufficient for future demand — (a) the Water Corporation has planning in place for expansion of the well field and consideration of desalination; and (b) no consideration has been given to investigating the Minilya and/or Lyndon River system as the distance from Exmouth makes it uneconomical. (4) The combined sources in the metropolitan area provide an average of 570 megalitres salinity and 150 megalitres hardness. In Exmouth the salinity and hardness is 837 megalitres and 348 megalitres respectively.
(3) The current draw is sustainable, but it is not sufficient for future demand — (a) the Water Corporation has planning in place for expansion of the well field and consideration of desalination; and (b) no consideration has been given to investigating the Minilya and/or Lyndon River system as the distance from Exmouth makes it uneconomical. (4) The combined sources in the metropolitan area provide an average of 570 megalitres salinity and 150 megalitres hardness. In Exmouth the salinity and hardness is 837 megalitres and 348 megalitres respectively.
(b) no consideration has been given to investigating the Minilya and/or Lyndon River system as the distance from Exmouth makes it uneconomical.
(1) What was the average monthly water draw from Exmouth water supply for 2007? (2) What is the estimated annual recharge rate of Exmouth water supply? (3) Is the current draw on Exmouth water supply sustainable given anticipated future demand; and, if not — (a) what plans does the Water Corporation have to ensure that future demand will be met; and (b) has consideration been given to investigating the Minilya and/or Lyndon River system as a possible source of water for the future supply of Exmouth; and, if not, why not? (4) What are the salinity and water hardness levels from Exmouth water supply and how do these compare with levels in the metropolitan area? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Ken Baston for providing some notice of the question. (1) It is 69 315 kilolitres per month. (2) The recharge is based on local rainfall and abstraction is managed within the allocation licence issued by the Department of Water and based on sustainability principles. (3) The current draw is sustainable, but it is not sufficient for future demand — (a) the Water Corporation has planning in place for expansion of the well field and consideration of desalination; and (b) no consideration has been given to investigating the Minilya and/or Lyndon River system as the distance from Exmouth makes it uneconomical. (4) The combined sources in the metropolitan area provide an average of 570 megalitres salinity and 150 megalitres hardness. In Exmouth the salinity and hardness is 837 megalitres and 348 megalitres respectively.
(2) What is the estimated annual recharge rate of Exmouth water supply? (3) Is the current draw on Exmouth water supply sustainable given anticipated future demand; and, if not — (a) what plans does the Water Corporation have to ensure that future demand will be met; and (b) has consideration been given to investigating the Minilya and/or Lyndon River system as a possible source of water for the future supply of Exmouth; and, if not, why not? (4) What are the salinity and water hardness levels from Exmouth water supply and how do these compare with levels in the metropolitan area? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Ken Baston for providing some notice of the question. (1) It is 69 315 kilolitres per month. (2) The recharge is based on local rainfall and abstraction is managed within the allocation licence issued by the Department of Water and based on sustainability principles. (3) The current draw is sustainable, but it is not sufficient for future demand — (a) the Water Corporation has planning in place for expansion of the well field and consideration of desalination; and (b) no consideration has been given to investigating the Minilya and/or Lyndon River system as the distance from Exmouth makes it uneconomical. (4) The combined sources in the metropolitan area provide an average of 570 megalitres salinity and 150 megalitres hardness. In Exmouth the salinity and hardness is 837 megalitres and 348 megalitres respectively.
(3) Is the current draw on Exmouth water supply sustainable given anticipated future demand; and, if not — (a) what plans does the Water Corporation have to ensure that future demand will be met; and (b) has consideration been given to investigating the Minilya and/or Lyndon River system as a possible source of water for the future supply of Exmouth; and, if not, why not? (4) What are the salinity and water hardness levels from Exmouth water supply and how do these compare with levels in the metropolitan area? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Ken Baston for providing some notice of the question. (1) It is 69 315 kilolitres per month. (2) The recharge is based on local rainfall and abstraction is managed within the allocation licence issued by the Department of Water and based on sustainability principles. (3) The current draw is sustainable, but it is not sufficient for future demand — (a) the Water Corporation has planning in place for expansion of the well field and consideration of desalination; and (b) no consideration has been given to investigating the Minilya and/or Lyndon River system as the distance from Exmouth makes it uneconomical. (4) The combined sources in the metropolitan area provide an average of 570 megalitres salinity and 150 megalitres hardness. In Exmouth the salinity and hardness is 837 megalitres and 348 megalitres respectively.
(b) has consideration been given to investigating the Minilya and/or Lyndon River system as a possible source of water for the future supply of Exmouth; and, if not, why not?
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Ken Baston for providing some notice of the question. (1) It is 69 315 kilolitres per month. (2) The recharge is based on local rainfall and abstraction is managed within the allocation licence issued by the Department of Water and based on sustainability principles. (3) The current draw is sustainable, but it is not sufficient for future demand — (a) the Water Corporation has planning in place for expansion of the well field and consideration of desalination; and (b) no consideration has been given to investigating the Minilya and/or Lyndon River system as the distance from Exmouth makes it uneconomical. (4) The combined sources in the metropolitan area provide an average of 570 megalitres salinity and 150 megalitres hardness. In Exmouth the salinity and hardness is 837 megalitres and 348 megalitres respectively.
I thank Hon Ken Baston for providing some notice of the question. (1) It is 69 315 kilolitres per month. (2) The recharge is based on local rainfall and abstraction is managed within the allocation licence issued by the Department of Water and based on sustainability principles. (3) The current draw is sustainable, but it is not sufficient for future demand — (a) the Water Corporation has planning in place for expansion of the well field and consideration of desalination; and (b) no consideration has been given to investigating the Minilya and/or Lyndon River system as the distance from Exmouth makes it uneconomical. (4) The combined sources in the metropolitan area provide an average of 570 megalitres salinity and 150 megalitres hardness. In Exmouth the salinity and hardness is 837 megalitres and 348 megalitres respectively.
(1) It is 69 315 kilolitres per month. (2) The recharge is based on local rainfall and abstraction is managed within the allocation licence issued by the Department of Water and based on sustainability principles. (3) The current draw is sustainable, but it is not sufficient for future demand — (a) the Water Corporation has planning in place for expansion of the well field and consideration of desalination; and (b) no consideration has been given to investigating the Minilya and/or Lyndon River system as the distance from Exmouth makes it uneconomical. (4) The combined sources in the metropolitan area provide an average of 570 megalitres salinity and 150 megalitres hardness. In Exmouth the salinity and hardness is 837 megalitres and 348 megalitres respectively.
(2) The recharge is based on local rainfall and abstraction is managed within the allocation licence issued by the Department of Water and based on sustainability principles. (3) The current draw is sustainable, but it is not sufficient for future demand — (a) the Water Corporation has planning in place for expansion of the well field and consideration of desalination; and (b) no consideration has been given to investigating the Minilya and/or Lyndon River system as the distance from Exmouth makes it uneconomical. (4) The combined sources in the metropolitan area provide an average of 570 megalitres salinity and 150 megalitres hardness. In Exmouth the salinity and hardness is 837 megalitres and 348 megalitres respectively.
(3) The current draw is sustainable, but it is not sufficient for future demand — (a) the Water Corporation has planning in place for expansion of the well field and consideration of desalination; and (b) no consideration has been given to investigating the Minilya and/or Lyndon River system as the distance from Exmouth makes it uneconomical. (4) The combined sources in the metropolitan area provide an average of 570 megalitres salinity and 150 megalitres hardness. In Exmouth the salinity and hardness is 837 megalitres and 348 megalitres respectively.
(b) no consideration has been given to investigating the Minilya and/or Lyndon River system as the distance from Exmouth makes it uneconomical.
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