Water
The effective management of water helps to provide essential water services to the community while preserving the environment and our cultural and spiritual values. Western Australia is growing rapidly and is expected to continue to do so in the forseeable future. Planning for our water needs supports the development of healthy communities.
Working with the Department of Water
The Water Corporation works together with the Department of Water, Department for Planning and Infrastructure and other agencies to plan for water services. The Department of Water coordinates the water-planning framework outlined in the State Water Plan 2007.
The Department of Water also develops water resources and water industry policy in Western Australia. National frameworks including the National Water Initiative inform outcomes in these areas. The Department of Water is responsible for:
• water resource investigation and assessment;
• water accounting;
• licensing water use;
• wetlands and waterways;
• drainage planning;
• floodplain management;
• water industry policy, including pricing policy; and
• water legislation.
The Water Corporation is one water user, licensed by the Department of Water. There are roughly 14,200 licensed water users in Western Australia, from sectors including mining, agriculture, Local Government, industry and service organisations. Over 90% of these licenses are for groundwater use, and the remainder for surface water use. The Department of Water also manages unlicensed water use, such as small farm water supplies and garden bores.
Water Forever will primarily focus on the needs of our customers – residents, businesses and organisations connected to our schemes. Where possible, we will consider how we can enhance the environment and provide services to other water users where there is a need.
At the same time, the Department of Water is working on an overarching regional water plan, the Perth - Peel Regional Water Plan. This plan will review water resource planning in the region and provide guidance on strategic water issues, policy options and management priorities in the region. One of the issues under consideration in this plan is allocating water for public water supply.
The Water Corporation and the Department of Water are working closely together to align and share information on critical assumptions such as climate change and future water demand.
Other issues that have been identified for the Perth - Peel Regional Water Plan include climate change, water demand and availability, water use efficiency and recycling, urban corridor development and protecting waterways and wetlands.
As the Perth - Peel Regional Water Plan progresses, Water Forever will be updated by research and investigations conducted on key issues and the emerging priorities. A draft is expected to be released for public comment later this year.