The big dry ahead
The Department of Water says a report on Western Australia's future water supply presents significant challenges
ABC News | Mar 4, 2010
CSIRO is predicting water levels could possibly drop by half by 2030. (ABC News )
The CSIRO report found water levels in south western WA will fall by an average of 25 per cent by 2030 but it is predicting they could possibly fall by half.
The report blames climate change since the mid 1970s for a big drop in rainfall and surface and groundwater yields.
It says as a result, once abundant wetlands and perennial streams have, in the worst cases, dried out.
John Ruprecht from the department says the findings are sobering but not surprising.
He says the department already has a raft of measures in place to ensure future water supply.
"New infrastructure like the second desalination plant, like water efficiency measures with local government and the winter sprinkler bans through to recycling and working with local governments and developers on new ways of recycling water for urban development," he said.
But the Opposition's Fran Logan says that is not nearly enough.
"The worst case scenario may require five extra plants and the last desalination plant two cost over $1 billion," he said.
Mr Ruprecht says there are a number of strategies in place to deal with the drying climate.
"Those projects are a good start but there's more we need to do and that's why there's been significant regional planning done by Department of Water with the South West Regional Water Plan, the Water Corporation with their Water Forever, really trying to map out the demand for water for the next 20 to 30 years," he said.
Mr Logan says the Government must urgently invest more in water infrastructure to avoid future severe water shortages.
And he says recycling water for drinking must be the Government's top priority.
"Recycling is the solution. It is a major, major part of the solution. But that requires a significant investment in infrastructure both at the waste water treatment plant and also at the re-injection points both around Beenyup, Subiaco and Woodman Point in the southern suburbs," he said.
'Wake-up call'
The Conservation Council's Piers Verstegen says the report should act as a 'wake-up call' for the Government.
He says there needs to be better strategies in place to conserve the state's water.
"In particular, making our houses much more water efficient because we still build some of the most water hungry houses in the world," he said.
The Water Minister, Graham Jacobs, says it will be important that WA maintains a diverse system of water supply to cope with increasing demand and declining rainfall.
He says the state is working towards a balanced approach where water is drawn equally from surface, underground and desalination sources.
"It's important to recognise that we don't put all our eggs in one basket, so I think it's about spreading your risk, if you like," he said.
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