Hydrogeological Record Series HG 10 2005 Groundwater investigation program in Western Australia (2005 to 2020) Westralia Square Hyatt Centre Level 8 141 St Georges Terrace Level 2 3 Plain Street Perth Western Australia 6000 East Perth Western Australia 6004 PO Box K822 Perth Western Australia 6842 PO Box 6740 Hay Street East Perth Western Australia 6892 Telephone (08) 9222 7000 Telephone (08) 9278 0300 Facsimile (08) 9322 1598 Facsimile (08) 9278 0301 E-mail [email protected] National Relay Service (Australian www.environment.wa.gov.au Communication Exchange) 132 544 E-mail [email protected] www.environment.wa.gov.au Hydrogeological Record Series Groundwater Investigation Program in Western Australia (2005 to 2020) HG 10 GROUNDWATER INVESTIGATION PROGRAM IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA (2005 TO 2020) by S. L. Johnson, D. P. Commander, C. A. O’Boy and R. P. Lindsay Water Resource Division Department of Environment DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT HYDROGEOLOGICAL RECORD SERIES REPORT HG 10 JUNE 2005 Groundwater Investigation Program in Western Australia (2005 to 2020) HG 10 Hydrogeological Record Series Acknowledgments This report was prepared by Seth Johnson, Philip Commander, Chris O’Boy and Richard Lindsay. This report has been developed in consultation with the Allocation Branch, Kim Taylor and other departmental officers who have a knowledge of groundwater resource assessment. The information provided in this report is summarised from an unpublished hydrogeological report (HR221) and also outlined each drilling investigation project. For more information contact: Department of Environment Hyatt Centre, 2nd Floor 3 Plain Street East Perth WA 6004 Telephone (08) 9278 0300 Facsimile (08) 9278 0586 Recommended Reference The recommended reference for this publication is: Johnson, S.L., Commander, D.P., O’Boy, C.A. and Lindsay, R.P., 2005, Groundwater investigation program in Western Australia (2005 to 2020), Department of Environment, Hydrogeological Record Series, Report HG10. We welcome your feedback A publication feedback form can be found at the back of this publication. ISBN: 1-920947-66-3 ISSN: 1329-542X June 2005 Cover photograph: Drilling on the Weaber Plain near Kununurra, as part of groundwater investigations for the Ord River Irrigation Area. ii Hydrogeological Record Series Groundwater Investigation Program in Western Australia (2005 to 2020) HG 10 Contents Executive Summary................................................................................................... 1 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................ 2 1.1 Agency vision and strategy ................................................................................................... 2 1.2 Business need ...................................................................................................................... 2 1.3 Scope and purpose............................................................................................................... 3 2 Importance of groundwater to Western Australia .................................................. 4 2.1 Distribution............................................................................................................................ 4 2.2 Storage ................................................................................................................................. 4 2.3 Development and utilisation .................................................................................................. 4 2.4 Environmental value.............................................................................................................. 5 2.5 Other values.......................................................................................................................... 6 3 The continuing need for investigation.................................................................... 7 3.1 Water supply......................................................................................................................... 7 3.2 Groundwater resources management ................................................................................... 7 3.3 Land resources management................................................................................................ 8 3.4 Environmental management ................................................................................................. 8 4 Status of groundwater investigation..................................................................... 10 4.1 Background......................................................................................................................... 10 4.2 The process of groundwater assessment............................................................................ 11 4.2.1 The key stages ............................................................................................................................... 12 4.2.2 Levels of assessment ..................................................................................................................... 13 5 Identification of groundwater investigation areas ................................................ 16 5.1 Priority C3/C4 investigation program ................................................................................... 16 5.2 Metropolitan investigation.................................................................................................... 17 5.3 Statewide strategic investigation ......................................................................................... 19 5.4 Regional assessment and groundwater dataset provision................................................... 21 6 The proposed investigation program ................................................................... 24 6.1 Program costs and benefits................................................................................................. 24 6.2 Funding............................................................................................................................... 25 6.3 Timing ................................................................................................................................. 25 6.4 Resources........................................................................................................................... 27 6.4.1 Staff levels ...................................................................................................................................... 27 6.4.2 Internal support............................................................................................................................... 27 6.4.3 External contractors........................................................................................................................ 29 iii Groundwater Investigation Program in Western Australia (2005 to 2020) HG 10 Hydrogeological Record Series 6.5 Program outputs and outcomes .......................................................................................... 29 6.6 Stakeholder awareness....................................................................................................... 29 7 Conclusions ......................................................................................................... 30 8 References .......................................................................................................... 31 Appendix 1 — Management response actions for each category........................... 32 Figures 1. Historical water use and demand projections ........................................................................ 5 2. Drilling for groundwater resource assessment (1970 to 2004)............................................. 10 3. The groundwater resource assessment process ................................................................. 12 4. Location map showing strategic investigation programs...................................................... 20 5. Location map showing regional assessment areas ............................................................. 23 Tables 1. Resource categories according to level of utilisation ........................................................... 14 2. Actions required in groundwater management response..................................................... 14 3. Priority C3/C4 investigation areas ....................................................................................... 17 4. Metropolitan investigation areas.......................................................................................... 18 5. Statewide strategic investigation areas ............................................................................... 20 6. Project details for the proposed investigation program ........................................................ 26 7. Cost schedule for the investigation program........................................................................ 28 iv Hydrogeological Record Series Groundwater Investigation Program in Western Australia (2005 to 2020) HG 10 Executive Summary An investigation and monitoring bore program is necessary to adequately manage groundwater resources throughout Western Australia, and support the management functions of the Department of Environment. The investigation program is a priority in groundwater management areas where licensed use is close to the allocation limit and where there is insufficient information to manage the resource effectively. This report outlines