❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses concerns about the impact of commercial groundwater extraction on domestic and agricultural bores, focusing on protections, cumulative impact assessments, and verification of extraction volumes. The answer outlines existing regulations and processes.
AnsweredQoN 856Legislative Council
Asked
11 November 2025
Member
Portfolio
Aboriginal Affairs; Water; Climate Resilience; South West
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to concerns from local residents about the impact of commercial groundwater extraction on neighbouring bores, and I ask: (a) what protections are in place to prevent large extraction activities from depleting domestic and agricultural bores in nearby properties; (b) how does Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) assess the cumulative impact of multiple bores drawing from the same aquifer; and (c) does DWER undertake independent verification of reported water extraction volumes?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
11 December 2025
Responded by
Leader of the House representing the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs; Water; Climate Resilience; South West
Response time
8 days
(a) Under the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914 , it is an offence to take underground water from artesian wells and wells in proclaimed groundwater areas unless authorised by a licence. In assessing licence applications, the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation considers the likely level of impact on local environmental values and other water users. Licences may be subject to monitoring and reporting conditions and the Department undertakes compliance checks.
For non-artesian wells in non-proclaimed areas, licences to take underground water are not required.
(b) When assessing a water licence application, the Department may require a proponent to undertake and submit a hydrogeological assessment, in accordance with its Operational policy no. 5.12 - Hydrogeological reporting associated with a groundwater well licence . The hydrogeologic report would consider the cumulative impacts of additional abstraction on the groundwater resource (i.e. the aquifer).
Hydrogeological reports are reviewed by the Department’s hydrogeologists and are used to inform the final decision on whether a water licence is granted and the associated terms and conditions of the licence.
(c) The Department checks compliance with licence conditions and, where metering is required, obtains meter readings to verify extraction volumes.
For non-artesian wells in non-proclaimed areas, licences to take underground water are not required.
(b) When assessing a water licence application, the Department may require a proponent to undertake and submit a hydrogeological assessment, in accordance with its Operational policy no. 5.12 - Hydrogeological reporting associated with a groundwater well licence . The hydrogeologic report would consider the cumulative impacts of additional abstraction on the groundwater resource (i.e. the aquifer).
Hydrogeological reports are reviewed by the Department’s hydrogeologists and are used to inform the final decision on whether a water licence is granted and the associated terms and conditions of the licence.
(c) The Department checks compliance with licence conditions and, where metering is required, obtains meter readings to verify extraction volumes.
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