The question concerns water deficiency in WA towns, particularly in light of the Denmark pipeline project. The answer details water carting operations and monitoring of dam levels in affected regions.

AnsweredQoN 1041Legislative Council
Asked
19 September 2019
Portfolio
Water

QuestionView source ↗

WATER DEFICIENCY DECLARATIONS
1041. Hon RICK MAZZA to the minister representing the
Minister for Water:
I refer to Denmark, which has one of
the highest average rainfalls in the state, but now requires the construction
of a $32 million water pipeline from Albany.
(1) Are there any other WA towns at
risk of water deficiency as summer approaches?
(2) If yes to (1), what are these
towns and how much longer are their reserves expected to last?
(3) How are water
deficient regions such as Ravensthorpe, Lake Grace and Hollands Rock coping
since they have been officially declared?

AnswerView source ↗

I expect to see the member at the
climate rally tomorrow, given his concern! The Minister for Water has provided
the following information.
(1) Yes.
(2) The Water
Corporation is currently carting water to supplement town water supplies in
Ravensthorpe and Salmon Gums, and will do so until the local dams refill. The
corporation recently ceased carting to the Jerramungup scheme, and is currently
supplying water from the local dam. The levels in the dam will be monitored and
it is estimated there is sufficient water available until April 2020.
(3) Water carting
has ceased in Mallee Hill in the Shire of Lake Grace and Hollands Rock in the
Shire of Kent as farmers have advised they have sufficient on-farm water for
livestock. Water is still being carted to Mt Short in the Shire of
Ravensthorpe, at reduced cartage volumes, to support farmers in the area. The
Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, in cooperation with the Water
Corporation and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development,
will continue to consult with farmers in all three water deficiency declared
areas to assess livestock water needs. If required, the existing water deficiency declarations will allow water carting
to resume quickly to support in-need farmers in these areas.

Explore WA Government Data

Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.

Explore more