Current
42.5%
268 GL
Last year
45%
284 GL
Change
Climate & water
Climate change is the biggest challenge faced by Water Corporation.
It is a global issue that is impacting WA’s water supply and our way of life. The impacts are felt across the world, Australia, and throughout WA in our communities, businesses, farms and homes.
Rainfall has dramatically decreased in many areas of our state. The amount of streamflow to our dams generated from each millimetre of rainfall continues to decline.
What this means
As a community here in Perth we must continue our efforts to save water and adapt to what climate change is doing to our environment.
We have had to respond to this challenge and adapt the way we deliver water to WA in order to preserve our unique lifestyle, by working towards long-term targets outlined in our Water Forever plan, first published 10 years ago. Our strategic focus areas include:
- Investing in climate resilient water sources such as desalination, groundwater replenishment and water recycling.
- Focussing on innovation, we are committed to reducing our environmental footprint by reducing our energy consumption and embracing renewable sources.
- Inspiring positive action in our community to adopt waterwise practices and drive water efficiency improvements.
More on our response to climate change
Our water overview
We need steady, regular rain in order to soak our catchments and get water flowing into our dams. Slowly declining rainfall means Perth's dams receive much less streamflow than in past years.
Updated: Friday, 25 September 2020
To 9am
0.00
mm
May total
May average*
32.20
mm
88.70
mm
0 GL
May total
798 ML
Used yesterday
* Average monthly rainfall (for the period 1876 - 2016).
How climate change has impacted our water sources
Water sources for our largest scheme, the Integrated Water Supply Scheme (IWSS), have changed dramatically. Water for the IWSS is now comprised of a combination of sources, including desalinated seawater, groundwater, groundwater replenishment and streamflow into dams.
Traditionally, Perth relied heavily on streamflow into our dams as a water source, but declining streamflow has meant dams now play a bigger role as storage reservoirs. The water in our dams is no longer just made up of inflows from rain. Groundwater and desalinated water are stored in these dams during periods of low demand so it is available when it is most needed in the hotter months.
See how our climate has changed
In 2019-20 the breakdown of our IWSS water sources consisted of:
%
Desalination
%
Groundwater
%
Dams
%
Groundwater replenishment
Climate change news
16 Sep 2020
|
Media Release
Near record low rainfall to end of winter prompts Perth waterwise reminder
Low rainfall to the end of August is another stark reminder for Perth residents of the ever-increasing need to stay waterwise in the face of climate change - following one of the city's driest and warmest winters on record.
04 Sep 2020
|
Media Release
Perth metro weekly water update
Latest water use, dam levels, streamflow and rainfall data
31 Aug 2020
|
Update
Saving water is all in a day’s work for our waterwise platinum winners
Ocean Keys Shopping Centre and Perth Zoo have both been awarded 2020 Platinum Waterwise Business of the Year. Both businesses have shown an outstanding commitment to improving their water efficiency.
Climate change
Hotter summers and lower rainfall means we must plan to secure climate-resilient water sources and adopt waterwise practices.
Perth's water supply
Ever wondered how water gets to you or where it goes once it’s flushed down the drain? Learn about Perth's water supply with our new tool.
Desalination
A reduction in rainfall means we now rely on other sources to meet our water needs. Our 2 desalination plants provide up to 48% of Perth's supply.
Sustainability & innovation
We're working on innovative solutions to provide sustainable water services.
Rainfall & dams
Check rainfall and dam volumes, and find out how climate change is affecting the amount of water that flows into our dams.
Groundwater
Groundwater makes up to 40% of our water supply and is replenished using recycled water. Learn how we're expanding the groundwater network.
Wastewater
Every day over 16,000km of our wastewater pipelines collect around 450 million litres of wastewater. What happens after it leaves your home?
Regional water supplies
Delivering sustainable water services to our regions is essential to us and an ambitious task.