The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation has released the Cockburn Groundwater Allocation Plan and a revised policy for Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR).
Both initiatives are part of the Waterwise Perth Action Plan.
Minister for Water, Dave Kelly said the south-west of Western Australia was one of the places on the planet most affected by reduced rainfall due to climate change.
“As Perth has become drier, recharge to our groundwater has been significantly reduced,” Mr Kelly said.
“As climate change continues to impact on our traditional water sources, new and innovative ways are being looked at to secure water supplies.”
He said appropriate recharge of aquifers was one such approach that could help make the best re-use of water resources and create climate-resilient supplies.
“Managed Aquifer Recharge is the injection or infiltration of water into an aquifer for later recovery, environmental benefit, or to counteract the impacts of abstraction,” Mr Kelly said.
“For example, stormwater or wastewater can be recycled, treated and put back in aquifers where it can be stored for later use.”
He said the revised MAR policy and guidelines provided a management framework for aquifer recharge operations. They also included useful information to assist with establishing a managed aquifer recharge project, while safeguarding the environment, water users and public health.
“The Cockburn Groundwater Allocation Plan sets out how the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation will manage and allocate the groundwater resources in the Cockburn groundwater area,” the Minister said.
“Responding to the impacts of climate change, supporting the growth and productivity of industry in Cockburn and Kwinana, and maintaining the health of local wetlands and urban landscapes is central to the plan.”
He said that under the plan, local groundwater users were encouraged to become more waterwise, with a range of management strategies and additional protections for the resource also introduced in response to the impacts of climate change.
The 75-page Cockburn Groundwater Allocation Plan can be accessed at this PS News link and the revised Managed Aquifer Recharge at this link.
