Planning to ensure lower Great Southern’s water security beyond 2030 ramps up

Efforts to shore up Lower Great Southern’s water supply by determining the most suitable new water source have been ramped up by the Water Corporation and the State Government. Modelling for the Lower Great Southern Towns Water Supply Scheme suggests demand will outstrip supply by 2030 and that an additional 1.8 billion litres of drinking water will be needed by 2050. The scheme supplies water for residents of Albany, Mt Barker, Kendenup and Narrikup as well as Denmark via the Albany to Denmark pipeline, which was completed in 2021. Water Minister Simone McGurk said groundwater sources in Albany could not be expanded indefinitely. “We need more secure, more sustainable water sources, and we need to start planning for the future now,” she said. “Despite a wet winter last year, we know existing drinking water sources in the region are under increasing pressure as demand grows and long-term rainfall declines. “New water sources take time to plan and deliver in a responsible way.” The scheme’s water currently relies on local groundwater sources on the South Coast as well as surface water from Angove River at Two Peoples Bay. Modelling predicts aquifer recharge into the existing groundwater abstraction area to Albany’s west will fall by as much as 18 per cent by 2050, driven by an 18 per cent decline in winter rainfall over the same period. A Water Corporation spokesman said planning for the scheme’s new sources “are still in the very early stages of planning”. He said the Water Corporation will be “working closely with the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation before making any decisions”. “A decision is planned for 2025 following a detailed analysis of data and results,” he said. “We are committed to keeping the local community updated as we investigate the viability of all sources and promote opportunities for community feedback.” New groundwater sources and local seawater desalination options are being explored as possible new sources. Initial planning and hydrogeological information have prompted investigations of options in the Manypeaks, Two Peoples Bay, Torndirrup, Big Grove, Little Grove and Good Beach areas. Environmental surveys were completed in the areas between October and November 2021, and Aboriginal Heritage surveys were completed by July 2022. “These areas appear to be the most suitable for future sources given the amount of groundwater possibly available for new bores or their proximity to existing water infrastructure,” the spokesman said. “We always try to build new infrastructure such as pipelines in road reserves or Crown land where possible to minimise impact to private landowners and the environment.” He said the Water Corporation would be working with DWER to secure the long-term water supply while also managing the groundwater systems. “DWER is in the process of developing the Albany and hinterlands water allocation plan for public comment, which covers how groundwater and surface water will be managed and regulated in this area,” he said. “This plan sets allocation limits about how much water can be licensed and how much water is left in the aquifer for the environment. “The impacts of drawing more groundwater are being investigated and scientifically modelled to determine how much could be allocated sustainably as the climate continues to dry.” For more information about the planning visit the Water Corporation website where the community is being encouraged to sign up for project updates.