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Water underfoot in WA

By Phil Playford - posted Tuesday, 7 February 2006


The development of water sources, whether they involve dams, groundwater, or desalination, are likely to have some adverse environmental effects, to varying degrees, as do most human activities. However, economic and social considerations may outweigh any adverse environmental effects of a project, and if adequate measures are taken to minimise those effects, the project could be expected to proceed.

Plans recently announced by the State Government for the injection of appropriately treated waste water into shallow aquifers is welcome, as it will help to prevent depletion of those aquifers. There is also support for most water-saving measures that have been promoted by Government, and subsidies for the drilling of private bores to supply groundwater for home gardens and lawns. However, restrictions on production from some such bores may eventually be required in order to prevent salt-water intrusion near the sea and the Swan River.

From time to time it has been proposed that a pipeline or canal be constructed to bring water from the Kimberley District to Perth. Those proposals have been dismissed by many scientists and engineers as “pipe dreams”. However, the Government announced in 2005 that expert studies, at a cost of $5 million, would be made of the various proposals to bring water from the Kimberley to Perth, under the direction of a committee chaired by Professor Reg Appleyard. The committee will submit its report to Government in 2006.

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It seems remarkable, considering the large reserves of low-cost groundwater that are available in the Perth Basin, serious consideration is being given to radical and expensive schemes for bringing water from the Kimberley to Perth. Moreover, it is surprising that Perth is to be the first city in Australia to adopt expensive and energy-intensive seawater desalination. This is despite the fact, unlike other capital cities in Australia now considering the desalination option, Perth potentially has access to large reserves of low-cost groundwater.

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Article edited by Rebecca Mann.
If you'd like to be a volunteer editor too, click here.

For further information see the report sponsored by the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE), the Australian Water Association, and Engineers Australia, entitled Western Australia: water policy issues in climate uncertainty.



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About the Author

Phil Playford was born and grew up in Western Australia. He holds degrees in geology from the University of WA (BSc and Honorary DSc) and Stanford University (PhD). He is currently an Honorary Associate of the Geological Survey and an Adjunct Professor at Notre Dame University.

Related Links
Department of Industry and Resources, Western Australia
he Geological Survey of Western Australia (GSWA)
Office of Water Policy, Western Australia
Water Corporation, Western Australia
Water Policy and Legislation, Western Australia

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

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