Wellington dam 'overflow' spurs action for water recovery options

Wellington Reservoir is overflowing the spillway and this event will increase interest in recovering the massive body of water for better uses, Water Minister Graham Jacobs said.

The overflowing dam renewed focus on the non-potable water source and its possible additional agricultural and industrial use as saline content is reduced.

"Phase one of a State Government plan to recover for use the largest impounded body of water in the South-West, is already under way with the Collie salinity diversion trial which commenced in June," Dr Jacobs said.

"The project team led by the Department of Water has developed leading edge water quality solutions that address very specific issues with the unique water affected by salt flush that runs through the Collie River east and Upper Collie catchment.

"The review has looked at further options to make this substantial volume of water available to commercial users in industry and agriculture to increase development and provide certainty to the region's future."

The Minister said a recovered Wellington dam had the potential to sustain growth in the region while protecting the environment.

"With lower salinity levels, the Government is now receiving a lot of interest from stakeholders for use of Wellington dam water," he said.

"This is a strategically important source of water for industry and irrigators but despite ongoing recovery work by the department and its partners, is remains affected by salt."

The recently released 'Upper Collie water allocation plan' encourages future use of Wellington Reservoir as a fit-for-purpose water supply to industry and agriculture.

"Through this review we are working hard with industry and the community to establish the best way forward. By reducing salinity we increase the fit-for-purpose options of this water source," Dr Jacobs said.