❓ Mr. Masters inquires about the frequency and changes to groundwater monitoring on the Swan Coastal Plain and specific areas facing increasing groundwater demands. The response details monitoring frequencies, program changes, and plans for specific regions.
AnsweredQoN 309Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) How frequently is the extensive network of groundwater monitoring bores on the Swan Coastal Plain tested to determine changes in groundwater depth and quality?
(2) Has there been a reduction or increase in this monitoring program over recent years and, if yes, how has the monitoring program changed?
(3) What plans exist to complete or initiate as appropriate the groundwater monitoring bore network for the following areas, all of which are now being subjected to increasing demands for groundwater allocations -
(a) Gingin;
(b) Allanooka (Geraldton area);
(c) Cowaramup; and
(d) the Murray/Coolup area (south of Pinjarra)?
(2) Has there been a reduction or increase in this monitoring program over recent years and, if yes, how has the monitoring program changed?
(3) What plans exist to complete or initiate as appropriate the groundwater monitoring bore network for the following areas, all of which are now being subjected to increasing demands for groundwater allocations -
(a) Gingin;
(b) Allanooka (Geraldton area);
(c) Cowaramup; and
(d) the Murray/Coolup area (south of Pinjarra)?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
15 October 2002
Responded by
Minister for the Environment and Heritage
Response time
20 days
(b) Allanooka (Geraldton area); (c) Cowaramup; and (d) the Murray/Coolup area (south of Pinjarra)?
(c) Cowaramup; and (d) the Murray/Coolup area (south of Pinjarra)?
(d) the Murray/Coolup area (south of Pinjarra)?
There are 2150 groundwater bores that monitor water level change, as part of the monitoring network on the Swan Coastal Plain. Eighty-five are monitored annually and a further 1385 are monitored on a biannual basis to observe water level peaks and troughs. There are 210 bores that are monitored at two to four monthly intervals for more accurate tracking of water level change. In addition, there are 470 bores, which are monitored on a monthly basis, particularly in the metropolitan area, to monitor changes related to groundwater abstraction. There are 560 groundwater bores that monitor water quality. The majority of these bores (420) are monitored once or twice per year with a small number of bores (20) that are monitored either monthly or fortnightly. The remaining 120 bores are monitored every three to five years. (2) The recommended monitoring program for water allocation has remained basically unchanged over the last few years. There are regular reviews to maximise the value of sampling within funding priorities. A significant change to the program has been to reduce the monitoring of more than 500 bores in the metropolitan area from four times per year to two times per year. The intention of the reduction is to only observe the peaks and troughs in water levels, hence, the reduction in frequency has not compromised the program. In the vicinity of the metropolitan area, the monitoring of the confined aquifer bores in the Leederville and Yarragadee aquifers has been increased from quarterly to monthly. From a regional perspective, there are a number of areas on the Swan Coastal Plain where there has been a reduction in monitoring frequency, as a result of priorities to make the best use of available resources. Water level monitoring programs for Mid West and South West Regions have been carried out at reduced frequency for the last few years. Since 2001, the issue in the South West Region has been alleviated by completing the monitoring program in-house rather than through external contracting. Water quality monitoring programs have been refined in the South West and Mid West regions. The reduced sampling carried out so far has not indicated the existence of any problems. Since 2001, water quality sampling in the Swan Goldfields Agricultural Region has been significantly reduced due to resource priorities elsewhere. (3) (a) In 1998, a total of six monitoring bores at three sites were installed in the Red Gully subarea providing valuable monitoring data for the Leederville Aquifer. This new information has been incorporated into the Perth Regional Aquifer Model groundwater model, which will provide better understanding of groundwater conditions. (b) Studies have identified areas in the unconfined Yarragadee Aquifer, which require additional monitoring. However, the non take-up of the Kingstream proposal has meant that pressures on the groundwater resource and base monitoring have been reduced. (c ) Studies have recently been completed that identify areas that require additional monitoring to better understand groundwater recharge into the Leederville aquifer. It is expected that an improved monitoring network can be finalised through combined funding between Government (Water and Rivers Commission and Water Corporation) and local industry groups. (d) A drilling program has been planned to investigate and monitor the Leederville Aquifer.
There are 560 groundwater bores that monitor water quality. The majority of these bores (420) are monitored once or twice per year with a small number of bores (20) that are monitored either monthly or fortnightly. The remaining 120 bores are monitored every three to five years. (2) The recommended monitoring program for water allocation has remained basically unchanged over the last few years. There are regular reviews to maximise the value of sampling within funding priorities. A significant change to the program has been to reduce the monitoring of more than 500 bores in the metropolitan area from four times per year to two times per year. The intention of the reduction is to only observe the peaks and troughs in water levels, hence, the reduction in frequency has not compromised the program. In the vicinity of the metropolitan area, the monitoring of the confined aquifer bores in the Leederville and Yarragadee aquifers has been increased from quarterly to monthly. From a regional perspective, there are a number of areas on the Swan Coastal Plain where there has been a reduction in monitoring frequency, as a result of priorities to make the best use of available resources. Water level monitoring programs for Mid West and South West Regions have been carried out at reduced frequency for the last few years. Since 2001, the issue in the South West Region has been alleviated by completing the monitoring program in-house rather than through external contracting. Water quality monitoring programs have been refined in the South West and Mid West regions. The reduced sampling carried out so far has not indicated the existence of any problems. Since 2001, water quality sampling in the Swan Goldfields Agricultural Region has been significantly reduced due to resource priorities elsewhere. (3) (a) In 1998, a total of six monitoring bores at three sites were installed in the Red Gully subarea providing valuable monitoring data for the Leederville Aquifer. This new information has been incorporated into the Perth Regional Aquifer Model groundwater model, which will provide better understanding of groundwater conditions. (b) Studies have identified areas in the unconfined Yarragadee Aquifer, which require additional monitoring. However, the non take-up of the Kingstream proposal has meant that pressures on the groundwater resource and base monitoring have been reduced. (c ) Studies have recently been completed that identify areas that require additional monitoring to better understand groundwater recharge into the Leederville aquifer. It is expected that an improved monitoring network can be finalised through combined funding between Government (Water and Rivers Commission and Water Corporation) and local industry groups. (d) A drilling program has been planned to investigate and monitor the Leederville Aquifer.
(2) The recommended monitoring program for water allocation has remained basically unchanged over the last few years. There are regular reviews to maximise the value of sampling within funding priorities. A significant change to the program has been to reduce the monitoring of more than 500 bores in the metropolitan area from four times per year to two times per year. The intention of the reduction is to only observe the peaks and troughs in water levels, hence, the reduction in frequency has not compromised the program. In the vicinity of the metropolitan area, the monitoring of the confined aquifer bores in the Leederville and Yarragadee aquifers has been increased from quarterly to monthly. From a regional perspective, there are a number of areas on the Swan Coastal Plain where there has been a reduction in monitoring frequency, as a result of priorities to make the best use of available resources. Water level monitoring programs for Mid West and South West Regions have been carried out at reduced frequency for the last few years. Since 2001, the issue in the South West Region has been alleviated by completing the monitoring program in-house rather than through external contracting. Water quality monitoring programs have been refined in the South West and Mid West regions. The reduced sampling carried out so far has not indicated the existence of any problems. Since 2001, water quality sampling in the Swan Goldfields Agricultural Region has been significantly reduced due to resource priorities elsewhere. (3) (a) In 1998, a total of six monitoring bores at three sites were installed in the Red Gully subarea providing valuable monitoring data for the Leederville Aquifer. This new information has been incorporated into the Perth Regional Aquifer Model groundwater model, which will provide better understanding of groundwater conditions. (b) Studies have identified areas in the unconfined Yarragadee Aquifer, which require additional monitoring. However, the non take-up of the Kingstream proposal has meant that pressures on the groundwater resource and base monitoring have been reduced. (c ) Studies have recently been completed that identify areas that require additional monitoring to better understand groundwater recharge into the Leederville aquifer. It is expected that an improved monitoring network can be finalised through combined funding between Government (Water and Rivers Commission and Water Corporation) and local industry groups. (d) A drilling program has been planned to investigate and monitor the Leederville Aquifer.
From a regional perspective, there are a number of areas on the Swan Coastal Plain where there has been a reduction in monitoring frequency, as a result of priorities to make the best use of available resources. Water level monitoring programs for Mid West and South West Regions have been carried out at reduced frequency for the last few years. Since 2001, the issue in the South West Region has been alleviated by completing the monitoring program in-house rather than through external contracting. Water quality monitoring programs have been refined in the South West and Mid West regions. The reduced sampling carried out so far has not indicated the existence of any problems. Since 2001, water quality sampling in the Swan Goldfields Agricultural Region has been significantly reduced due to resource priorities elsewhere. (3) (a) In 1998, a total of six monitoring bores at three sites were installed in the Red Gully subarea providing valuable monitoring data for the Leederville Aquifer. This new information has been incorporated into the Perth Regional Aquifer Model groundwater model, which will provide better understanding of groundwater conditions. (b) Studies have identified areas in the unconfined Yarragadee Aquifer, which require additional monitoring. However, the non take-up of the Kingstream proposal has meant that pressures on the groundwater resource and base monitoring have been reduced. (c ) Studies have recently been completed that identify areas that require additional monitoring to better understand groundwater recharge into the Leederville aquifer. It is expected that an improved monitoring network can be finalised through combined funding between Government (Water and Rivers Commission and Water Corporation) and local industry groups. (d) A drilling program has been planned to investigate and monitor the Leederville Aquifer.
(b) Studies have identified areas in the unconfined Yarragadee Aquifer, which require additional monitoring. However, the non take-up of the Kingstream proposal has meant that pressures on the groundwater resource and base monitoring have been reduced. (c ) Studies have recently been completed that identify areas that require additional monitoring to better understand groundwater recharge into the Leederville aquifer. It is expected that an improved monitoring network can be finalised through combined funding between Government (Water and Rivers Commission and Water Corporation) and local industry groups. (d) A drilling program has been planned to investigate and monitor the Leederville Aquifer.
(c ) Studies have recently been completed that identify areas that require additional monitoring to better understand groundwater recharge into the Leederville aquifer. It is expected that an improved monitoring network can be finalised through combined funding between Government (Water and Rivers Commission and Water Corporation) and local industry groups. (d) A drilling program has been planned to investigate and monitor the Leederville Aquifer.
(d) A drilling program has been planned to investigate and monitor the Leederville Aquifer.
(c) Cowaramup; and (d) the Murray/Coolup area (south of Pinjarra)?
(d) the Murray/Coolup area (south of Pinjarra)?
There are 2150 groundwater bores that monitor water level change, as part of the monitoring network on the Swan Coastal Plain. Eighty-five are monitored annually and a further 1385 are monitored on a biannual basis to observe water level peaks and troughs. There are 210 bores that are monitored at two to four monthly intervals for more accurate tracking of water level change. In addition, there are 470 bores, which are monitored on a monthly basis, particularly in the metropolitan area, to monitor changes related to groundwater abstraction. There are 560 groundwater bores that monitor water quality. The majority of these bores (420) are monitored once or twice per year with a small number of bores (20) that are monitored either monthly or fortnightly. The remaining 120 bores are monitored every three to five years. (2) The recommended monitoring program for water allocation has remained basically unchanged over the last few years. There are regular reviews to maximise the value of sampling within funding priorities. A significant change to the program has been to reduce the monitoring of more than 500 bores in the metropolitan area from four times per year to two times per year. The intention of the reduction is to only observe the peaks and troughs in water levels, hence, the reduction in frequency has not compromised the program. In the vicinity of the metropolitan area, the monitoring of the confined aquifer bores in the Leederville and Yarragadee aquifers has been increased from quarterly to monthly. From a regional perspective, there are a number of areas on the Swan Coastal Plain where there has been a reduction in monitoring frequency, as a result of priorities to make the best use of available resources. Water level monitoring programs for Mid West and South West Regions have been carried out at reduced frequency for the last few years. Since 2001, the issue in the South West Region has been alleviated by completing the monitoring program in-house rather than through external contracting. Water quality monitoring programs have been refined in the South West and Mid West regions. The reduced sampling carried out so far has not indicated the existence of any problems. Since 2001, water quality sampling in the Swan Goldfields Agricultural Region has been significantly reduced due to resource priorities elsewhere. (3) (a) In 1998, a total of six monitoring bores at three sites were installed in the Red Gully subarea providing valuable monitoring data for the Leederville Aquifer. This new information has been incorporated into the Perth Regional Aquifer Model groundwater model, which will provide better understanding of groundwater conditions. (b) Studies have identified areas in the unconfined Yarragadee Aquifer, which require additional monitoring. However, the non take-up of the Kingstream proposal has meant that pressures on the groundwater resource and base monitoring have been reduced. (c ) Studies have recently been completed that identify areas that require additional monitoring to better understand groundwater recharge into the Leederville aquifer. It is expected that an improved monitoring network can be finalised through combined funding between Government (Water and Rivers Commission and Water Corporation) and local industry groups. (d) A drilling program has been planned to investigate and monitor the Leederville Aquifer.
There are 560 groundwater bores that monitor water quality. The majority of these bores (420) are monitored once or twice per year with a small number of bores (20) that are monitored either monthly or fortnightly. The remaining 120 bores are monitored every three to five years. (2) The recommended monitoring program for water allocation has remained basically unchanged over the last few years. There are regular reviews to maximise the value of sampling within funding priorities. A significant change to the program has been to reduce the monitoring of more than 500 bores in the metropolitan area from four times per year to two times per year. The intention of the reduction is to only observe the peaks and troughs in water levels, hence, the reduction in frequency has not compromised the program. In the vicinity of the metropolitan area, the monitoring of the confined aquifer bores in the Leederville and Yarragadee aquifers has been increased from quarterly to monthly. From a regional perspective, there are a number of areas on the Swan Coastal Plain where there has been a reduction in monitoring frequency, as a result of priorities to make the best use of available resources. Water level monitoring programs for Mid West and South West Regions have been carried out at reduced frequency for the last few years. Since 2001, the issue in the South West Region has been alleviated by completing the monitoring program in-house rather than through external contracting. Water quality monitoring programs have been refined in the South West and Mid West regions. The reduced sampling carried out so far has not indicated the existence of any problems. Since 2001, water quality sampling in the Swan Goldfields Agricultural Region has been significantly reduced due to resource priorities elsewhere. (3) (a) In 1998, a total of six monitoring bores at three sites were installed in the Red Gully subarea providing valuable monitoring data for the Leederville Aquifer. This new information has been incorporated into the Perth Regional Aquifer Model groundwater model, which will provide better understanding of groundwater conditions. (b) Studies have identified areas in the unconfined Yarragadee Aquifer, which require additional monitoring. However, the non take-up of the Kingstream proposal has meant that pressures on the groundwater resource and base monitoring have been reduced. (c ) Studies have recently been completed that identify areas that require additional monitoring to better understand groundwater recharge into the Leederville aquifer. It is expected that an improved monitoring network can be finalised through combined funding between Government (Water and Rivers Commission and Water Corporation) and local industry groups. (d) A drilling program has been planned to investigate and monitor the Leederville Aquifer.
(2) The recommended monitoring program for water allocation has remained basically unchanged over the last few years. There are regular reviews to maximise the value of sampling within funding priorities. A significant change to the program has been to reduce the monitoring of more than 500 bores in the metropolitan area from four times per year to two times per year. The intention of the reduction is to only observe the peaks and troughs in water levels, hence, the reduction in frequency has not compromised the program. In the vicinity of the metropolitan area, the monitoring of the confined aquifer bores in the Leederville and Yarragadee aquifers has been increased from quarterly to monthly. From a regional perspective, there are a number of areas on the Swan Coastal Plain where there has been a reduction in monitoring frequency, as a result of priorities to make the best use of available resources. Water level monitoring programs for Mid West and South West Regions have been carried out at reduced frequency for the last few years. Since 2001, the issue in the South West Region has been alleviated by completing the monitoring program in-house rather than through external contracting. Water quality monitoring programs have been refined in the South West and Mid West regions. The reduced sampling carried out so far has not indicated the existence of any problems. Since 2001, water quality sampling in the Swan Goldfields Agricultural Region has been significantly reduced due to resource priorities elsewhere. (3) (a) In 1998, a total of six monitoring bores at three sites were installed in the Red Gully subarea providing valuable monitoring data for the Leederville Aquifer. This new information has been incorporated into the Perth Regional Aquifer Model groundwater model, which will provide better understanding of groundwater conditions. (b) Studies have identified areas in the unconfined Yarragadee Aquifer, which require additional monitoring. However, the non take-up of the Kingstream proposal has meant that pressures on the groundwater resource and base monitoring have been reduced. (c ) Studies have recently been completed that identify areas that require additional monitoring to better understand groundwater recharge into the Leederville aquifer. It is expected that an improved monitoring network can be finalised through combined funding between Government (Water and Rivers Commission and Water Corporation) and local industry groups. (d) A drilling program has been planned to investigate and monitor the Leederville Aquifer.
From a regional perspective, there are a number of areas on the Swan Coastal Plain where there has been a reduction in monitoring frequency, as a result of priorities to make the best use of available resources. Water level monitoring programs for Mid West and South West Regions have been carried out at reduced frequency for the last few years. Since 2001, the issue in the South West Region has been alleviated by completing the monitoring program in-house rather than through external contracting. Water quality monitoring programs have been refined in the South West and Mid West regions. The reduced sampling carried out so far has not indicated the existence of any problems. Since 2001, water quality sampling in the Swan Goldfields Agricultural Region has been significantly reduced due to resource priorities elsewhere. (3) (a) In 1998, a total of six monitoring bores at three sites were installed in the Red Gully subarea providing valuable monitoring data for the Leederville Aquifer. This new information has been incorporated into the Perth Regional Aquifer Model groundwater model, which will provide better understanding of groundwater conditions. (b) Studies have identified areas in the unconfined Yarragadee Aquifer, which require additional monitoring. However, the non take-up of the Kingstream proposal has meant that pressures on the groundwater resource and base monitoring have been reduced. (c ) Studies have recently been completed that identify areas that require additional monitoring to better understand groundwater recharge into the Leederville aquifer. It is expected that an improved monitoring network can be finalised through combined funding between Government (Water and Rivers Commission and Water Corporation) and local industry groups. (d) A drilling program has been planned to investigate and monitor the Leederville Aquifer.
(b) Studies have identified areas in the unconfined Yarragadee Aquifer, which require additional monitoring. However, the non take-up of the Kingstream proposal has meant that pressures on the groundwater resource and base monitoring have been reduced. (c ) Studies have recently been completed that identify areas that require additional monitoring to better understand groundwater recharge into the Leederville aquifer. It is expected that an improved monitoring network can be finalised through combined funding between Government (Water and Rivers Commission and Water Corporation) and local industry groups. (d) A drilling program has been planned to investigate and monitor the Leederville Aquifer.
(c ) Studies have recently been completed that identify areas that require additional monitoring to better understand groundwater recharge into the Leederville aquifer. It is expected that an improved monitoring network can be finalised through combined funding between Government (Water and Rivers Commission and Water Corporation) and local industry groups. (d) A drilling program has been planned to investigate and monitor the Leederville Aquifer.
(d) A drilling program has been planned to investigate and monitor the Leederville Aquifer.
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