❓ Question on Notice regarding the potential use of the Yarragadee Aquifer to supplement Perth's drinking water supply, focusing on allocation, usage, and water level decline. The answer provides changes to allocation limits, estimated exempt water use and public water supply reserve since January 2009.
AnsweredQoN 3820Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to recent public discussion about drawing water from the Yarragadee Aquifer in the South-West of Western Australia in order to supplement Perth’s drinking water supply, and ask the following -
(1) Is the Government currently investigating using water from the south-west Yarragadee Aquifer to supplement Perth’s drinking water supply?
(2) If yes to (1), what amount of water, in gigalitres, is being considered and from which sub-area(s) of the aquifer?
(3) What is the total unallocated water available, in gigalitres, from the south-west Yarragadee Aquifer, not counting water that is already allocated to existing licences and licence-exempt users or is reserved for future local use?
(4) Please detail the maximum level of decline, in metres, that has occurred to water levels in the Yarragadee Aquifer over the past 10 years?
(5) In relation to the answer to (4), what role have the following had in causing this decline, -
(a) reduced rainfall; and
(b) rates of abstraction?
(6) In regards to figures showing available water and allocation limits published in the Department of Water’s South-West Groundwater Areas Allocation Plan, that were current as of January 2009, have any additional water licences been issued for water from Yarragadee Aquifer?
(7) If yes to (6), -
(a) for how much water; and
(b) in which sub-areas?
(8) Since January 2009, have any changes been made to allocation limits, estimated exempt water usage and/or reserved water supplies relating to the Yarragadee Aquifer?
(9) If yes to (8), -
(a) for how much water; and
(b) in which sub-areas of the aquifer?
(1) Is the Government currently investigating using water from the south-west Yarragadee Aquifer to supplement Perth’s drinking water supply?
(2) If yes to (1), what amount of water, in gigalitres, is being considered and from which sub-area(s) of the aquifer?
(3) What is the total unallocated water available, in gigalitres, from the south-west Yarragadee Aquifer, not counting water that is already allocated to existing licences and licence-exempt users or is reserved for future local use?
(4) Please detail the maximum level of decline, in metres, that has occurred to water levels in the Yarragadee Aquifer over the past 10 years?
(5) In relation to the answer to (4), what role have the following had in causing this decline, -
(a) reduced rainfall; and
(b) rates of abstraction?
(6) In regards to figures showing available water and allocation limits published in the Department of Water’s South-West Groundwater Areas Allocation Plan, that were current as of January 2009, have any additional water licences been issued for water from Yarragadee Aquifer?
(7) If yes to (6), -
(a) for how much water; and
(b) in which sub-areas?
(8) Since January 2009, have any changes been made to allocation limits, estimated exempt water usage and/or reserved water supplies relating to the Yarragadee Aquifer?
(9) If yes to (8), -
(a) for how much water; and
(b) in which sub-areas of the aquifer?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
21 June 2011
Responded by
Minister for Mental Health representing the Minister for Water
Response time
70 days
(9a)-(b) Changes to Yarragadee aquifer since January 2009: Groundwater sub-area Allocation limit change Estimated exempt water use Public water supply reserve Bunbury - Yarragadee 0 0 - 0.24 GL Busselton - Yarragadee 0 0 + 9.4 GL Blackwood - Yarragadee 0 0 + 2.4 GL Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on http://www.rtlib.com
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