10/10/03
The commissioning of two new dams in the South-West has been described as crucial in assisting the State's Integrated Water Supply Scheme to recover from the effects of the recent drought.
Speaking at the opening of the Samson Brook and Wokalup Creek pipehead dams, Government Enterprises Minister Nick Griffiths said the structures were the last major projects in a remarkable program of accelerated development of surface and groundwater sources.
The Samson Brook Dam, near Waroona, has the capacity to pipe up to eight gigalitres of water per year directly into the Stirling Trunk Main for distribution via the Integrated Water Supply Scheme.
It is estimated that up to 10 gigalitres of water annually could be captured in the Wokelup dam, from which consignments could be transferred to the nearby Harvey Dam for use in irrigation.
The arrangement allows the Water Corporation to divert an additional 10 gigalitres of water each year from its Stirling Dam to the Stirling Trunk Main, supplies which would otherwise be released for irrigation use.
Mr Griffiths said the two dams and associated facilities, including transfer pipelines and a chemical dosing plant at Samson Brook, were built at a cost of $66million.
The structures completed the Government's $100million rapid response water source development program.
"The Government realised two years ago that due to the prolonged drought, a major boost in supplies available to the Integrated Water Supply Scheme was required in a short period of time," the Minister said.
"The program approved for immediate implementation was a mix of groundwater developments in Perth's northern suburbs and the construction of two pipehead dams in the more rainfall-friendly South-West.
"The Samson Brook and Wokalup Creek dams complete an agenda to add an additional 40 gigalitres of water, about 15 per cent of capacity, to the Integrated Water Supply Scheme for this summer."
Mr Griffiths said that even before the 2001-02 drought, the Water Corporation had embarked on an accelerated water source development program, aimed at doubling supply capacity in response to increasing demand after a significant decrease in rainfall and streamflow.
"Both programs were essential and with average rainfall during the past winter, the water storage recovery process could begin," he said.
"The decisive, rapid response program completed in the past two years has provided the integrated scheme with a tremendous boost and will play a major role as storage recovery commences."
Minister's office: 9222 8950
