Develop new water sources
There is a strong commitment in the Lower Great Southern to improve water efficiency and explore water recycling options and the harvesting of water from properties for private use.
In addition to the water supply savings those initiatives could yield, it is estimated that potable water supply requirements are still likely to double in the Lower Great Southern by 2038 and there will be a need for new source development. In conjunction with Department of Water, a total of 25 potential water sources were identified across the region.
Water Corporation has carried out a high level assessment of these 25 potential water sources to see if they would be suitable for development as sustainable drinking water supplies in the Lower Great Southern over the next 50 years.
These assessments drew on previous investigations undertaken by the Department of Water. The sources have been divided into two broad categories:
Local Water Sources
These are the smaller water source options that typically would be suitable for development to meet local supply needs only (Walpole, Denmark and Albany). They are generally located near the towns they would supply. Where appropriate we will continue to develop local sources for local use. Of the 25 potential sources being assessed, we consider there are sustainable local source options for Walpole, Denmark and Albany that will be suitable to meet local demands ahead of any need to develop a regional water supply scheme.
Regional Water Sources
These are the larger water source options, typically with a supply capacity of more than 4 million kilolitres a year, that could potentially be developed for a future interconnected regional water supply scheme (to connect Albany, Mt Barker, Denmark
and Walpole). Some of these options would also be suitable for meeting the future supply needs of Albany as a stand-alone scheme.
The full range of options can be viewed by downloading the report Water Forever: Lower Great Southern Draft Plan