Water in the Natural Environment
The Water Corporation’s services are a major part of the water cycle, which is intrinsically linked to environmental health. In taking water from the environment and returning drainage and treated wastewater we aim to sustain the environment, now and in the future. We protect ecological processes in a number of ways, including:
- monitoring the environments we take water from to ensure water dependent ecosystems are not significantly affected;
- reducing the amount we take from the environment by reducing the demand for water through water use efficiency initiatives;
- recycling water and wastewater;
- minimising our infrastructure footprint;
- reducing discharges where appropriate;
- providing water for the environment; and
- reducing energy use.
The environment is a key issue we consider when planning for new water sources and wastewater and drainage services. Of particular importance are the environmentally sensitive areas protected under the Environmental Protection (Environmentally Sensitive Areas) Notice 2005. They include important wetlands and ecological communities, natural and world heritage sites, rare flora and fauna, and Bush Forever sites.
Locations of environmentally sensitive areas as defined under the
Environmental Protection Act 1986
As part of the Perth - Peel Regional Water Plan, the Department of Water is reviewing environmental water requirements across the region and will develop a program to identify priority requirements where they have not yet been completed. The Perth-Peel Regional Water Plan will consider environmental water provisions for water dependent ecosystems. These provisions take into account the amount of water required to sustain ecological, social, economic and other values associated with water resources.
Water Forever will reflect the need to retain water in the environment for these reasons.