Water resources | Western Australian Government

Government of Western Australia

Return to previous menu

Managing water use, protecting our waterways and promoting water sustainability.

Access the Geomorphic Wetlands dataset

This dataset describes the wetlands of the Swan Coastal Plain representing two main aspects, physical classification and environmental evaluation.

Allanooka–Casuarinas groundwater investigation

We investigated groundwater resources in the Allanooka and Casuarinas subareas between Dongara and Geraldton from 2007 to 2011

Apply for a Community Stewardship Grant

These grants support community-based projects that serve to protect and restore the local environment.

Apply for a Swan Canning Riverpark development, permit or commercial activity

Apply for development applications, commercial operator licences and permits for use in Swan Canning Riverpark.

Apply for a water licence or permit

You may need a water licence for taking or interfering with surface water, overland flow water or groundwater.

Avon Descent river levels

We operate a number of monitoring stations along the Avon River in Western Australia.

Calculate water requirements for commercial crop production

The Irrigation Calculator provides broad guidance for water requirements of commercial crops produced in Western Australia.

Check garden bore water restrictions

Check bore sprinkler restrictions, rosters and exemption criteria

Cockburn groundwater allocation plan

The 2021 Cockburn groundwater allocation plan guides our management of groundwater resources to support both water users and the ecosystems that depend on groundwater.

Community Water Supply Program

Funding for broadacre farming communities to establish or improve non-potable water supplies

Cowaramup groundwater investigation

As part of our State Groundwater Investigation Program, we investigated the groundwater resources in the Cowaramup area to improve our understanding and help revise the volume of water available for sustainable, future use.

Current water resources management and water services acts, regulations, by-laws and codes

The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation administers legislation to protect and manage Western Australia's water resources

Dampier Peninsula groundwater investigation

This groundwater investigation aimed to improve our understanding of the Dampier Peninsula’s groundwater resources and how they support groundwater-dependent ecosystems north and east of Broome.

Derby groundwater allocation plan

The Derby groundwater allocation plan was open for public comment until 31 May 2021.

Development in public drinking water source areas

Information about managing development in public drinking water source areas.

Drainage for Liveability

Finding ways to work collaboratively and better use green spaces around drains and drainage infrastructure.

Drinking water matters

Safe drinking water is essential for life. Drinking water for cities and towns in Western Australia comes from natural sources, seawater desalination and recycled water.

Drinking water source protection reports - A to B

Reports for public drinking water source areas, listed by source name

Drinking water source protection reports - C to D

Reports for public drinking water source areas, listed by source name

Drinking water source protection reports - E to K

Reports for public drinking water source areas, listed by source name

Drinking water source protection reports - L to M

Reports for public drinking water source areas, listed by source name

Drinking water source protection reports - N to Q

Reports for public drinking water source areas, listed by source name

Drinking water source protection reports - R to Z

Reports for public drinking water source areas, listed by source name

East Midlands groundwater investigation

The East Midlands investigation will help us provide certainty for agricultural water supply while balancing the environmental and social values that depend on groundwater.

Emergency farmland water response planning and water deficiency arrangements

Process for farmers to follow when off-farm emergency water supplies are needed

Fitzroy groundwater investigation

The Fitzroy River and surrounding catchment is an important part of the Kimberley with nationally recognised cultural, environmental and economic values.

Gingin Brook and groundwater interaction

Part of our State Groundwater Investigation Program, this project significantly improved our understanding of how the Gingin Brook interacts with the groundwater system.

Gingin–Cowalla groundwater investigation

Part of our State Groundwater Investigation Program, this investigation was initiated to help manage the groundwater resources around Seabird.

Gnangara groundwater allocation plan

The 2022 Gnangara groundwater allocation plan sets out how we will manage the Gnangara groundwater system – Perth’s largest natural water resource – to continue adapting to climate change.

Groundwater investigations

Western Australia relies on groundwater for drinking water supplies, irrigated agriculture, industry, mining, economic development and liveable communities more than any other state in the country. Groundwater is also essential for the natural environment to flourish.

Groundwater investigations - Mid West Gascoyne region

Details of our active and completed groundwater investigations in the Mid West Gascoyne region.

Groundwater investigations - North West region

Details of our active and completed groundwater investigations in the North West region

Groundwater investigations - Perth-Peel region

Details about our active and completed groundwater investigations in the Perth-Peel region

Groundwater investigations - South Coast region

Details of our active and completed groundwater investigations in the South Coast region of Western Australia.

Groundwater investigations - South West region

Details of our active and completed groundwater investigations in the South West region of Western Australia.

Groundwater investigations - Statewide

Details of our active and completed statewide groundwater investigations

Groundwater investigations technical reports

A list of our published and unpublished technical reports on completed groundwater studies.

Groundwater modelling optimisation partnership

This project provided workflows, tools and modelling capacity to enable more efficient modelling practices and reduce run times for regional-scale groundwater models.

Groundwater telemetry trial

We began a groundwater telemetry trial in 2019, funded by the State Groundwater Investigation Program.

Hamersley Ranges groundwater assessment

We undertook the desktop Hamersley Ranges assessment as part of the statewide Royalties for Regions Regional Water Availability program.

Interactive water science maps

You can discover, interrogate and request information on Western Australia's water resources using our interactive mapping tools.

Interactive water science monitoring and data

Water monitoring is critical for scientists to assess and advise how best to manage and protect our water resources.

Kings Park Formation groundwater investigation

We investigated the Kings Park Formation in partnership with the Western Suburbs Regional Organisation of Councils and the Town of Cambridge.

La Grange and Walyarta groundwater-dependent ecosystems investigation

The La Grange investigation is part of our State Groundwater Investigation Program

Land use compatibility tables for public drinking water source areas

Information about appropriate land uses and activities within public drinking water source areas.

Management of strategic community water supplies

Community water supplies that can be used in times of emergency

Managing water resources related to onshore petroleum activities

We regulate the taking of water for the purposes of exploring and extracting onshore petroleum where that water is sourced from a proclaimed groundwater or surface water resource.

Mid West groundwater-dependent ecosystem vulnerability groundwater investigation

This investigation was undertaken from 2009 to 2012 as part of our flagship State Groundwater Investigation Program and the Australian Government’s Water Smart Australia program.

Murchison palaeochannels groundwater investigation

The Murchison palaeochannels groundwater investigation, funded through Royalties for Regions Regional Water Availability program, has pieced together the information we need as a first step to understand these hidden water resources.

Murray-Peel groundwater investigation

We investigated the Murray-Peel area as part of our State Groundwater Investigation Program

National On-Farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme

The Western Australian Government has reached an agreement with the Federal Government to provide funding to farmers who applied under the National On-Farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme.

North Gingin groundwater investigation

The findings from this investigation helped develop the Gingin groundwater allocation plan.

North Gnangara groundwater investigation

The project was part of our State Groundwater Investigation Program and the Australian Government’s Water Smart Australia program.

North-East Corridor and Swan Valley groundwater investigation

This investigation aims to refine our understanding of the groundwater system in the North-East Corridor and Swan Valley

Parliamentary inquiry into recreation within drinking water catchments

Inquiry to investigate the impacts of recreation in public drinking water source areas.

Perth groundwater map

The Perth Groundwater Map helps members of the public identify watertable information for the Perth metropolitan area

Perth Region Confined Aquifer Capacity (PRCAC) study

This study investigated the capacity for continued groundwater abstraction from the deep Leederville and Yarragadee aquifers.

Proclaimed area maps

Certain areas of Western Australia are proclaimed to protect, manage and regulate water under the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914.

Program: Kep Katitjin – Gabi Kaadadjan – Waterwise Perth action plan 2

Growing waterwise communities in Boorloo (Perth) and Bindjareb (Peel) to address climate change

Program: Waterwise Perth action plan 2019

A Waterwise Perth is cool, liveable, green and sustainable – a place where people want to live, work and spend their time.

Public drinking water source area mapping tool

This tool provides data on the public drinking water source areas in WA.

Public drinking water source areas

Information about Western Australia's public drinking water source areas.

Rainfall and dam levels in Western Australia

Check rainfall and dam levels and find out how declining rainfall is affecting the amount of water in our dams.

Rebalancing Our Groundwater

Rebalancing Perth and Mandurah’s groundwater resources in response to climate change

Recreation within public drinking water source areas on Crown land

Our drinking water sources require protection from contamination risks associated with recreation activities.

River level monitoring

We operate an extensive network of river monitoring stations and activities across Western Australia.

Scott coastal plain groundwater investigation

We investigated the Scott coastal plain as part of our State Groundwater Investigation Program

Shallow Groundwater Systems investigations – Perth

We investigated 10 representative wetlands on the Swan coastal plain to better understand how groundwater supports the environment.

South West (Scott River) groundwater investigation

This investigation has significantly improved our understanding of groundwater resources in the South West.

South West groundwater areas investigation

This investigation improved our understanding of how the environment connects to groundwater and expanded the monitoring network.

South West regional reconnaissance groundwater investigations

As part of our State Groundwater Investigation Program we investigated the Yarragadee, Leederville and Superficial aquifers to improve our understanding of these groundwater resources.

Spatial data download

This tool provides a list of publicly available spatial data for download produced by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation.

Statewide seawater interface investigations

The statewide seawater interface investigations are funded by the State Groundwater Investigation Program

Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) Scheme

The Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) Scheme provides consumers with information on the water efficiency of appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers and showers.

Water for Pilbara Cities groundwater investigation

As part of the $25 million Royalties for Regions program, we completed extensive groundwater investigations from the Great Southern to the Kimberley, including the $12.5 million Water for Pilbara Cities investigation.

Water information reporting

Data on Western Australia's water resources collected by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation.

Water legislation

Water resources management and water services legislation administered by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation

Water quality guidance

Information and examples about how to protect water quality for your project, development or activity.

Water resources management legislation

Water resources in Western Australia are protected and managed under six separate water resource management acts.

© Government of Western Australia 2017 to 2022