Water carting and standpipes in the Great Southern

Some public drinking water supply schemes across the region can be affected by the same climatic conditions as those impacting farming and other businesses in the Great Southern. To help with this we are undertaking measures to secure water supplies now and into the future.  

Water carting

Water carting occurs across the State when needed in small towns, when local dams are impacted by dry periods or for occasional operational reasons. 

When water sources reach low levels, water carting is the best way to supply safe drinking water. Where there are only a few properties, the cost to connect to a larger scheme is much higher than the cost of carting, even long-term. 

Once the town’s water supply begins to recover, carting will stop and the water will be supplied from the local scheme. 

We often cart drinking water to the following towns due to low storage levels in local the dams:

• Salmon Gums
• Ravensthorpe

For some towns water carting is undertaken as a long-term plan. These 'business as usual' towns include:

• Rocky Gully
• Lake King
• Grass Patch
• Varley
• Munglinup
• Porongurup
• Wellstead

Schemes we are monitoring

In the absence of rainfall, the following schemes are being monitored regularly:

• Denmark
• Borden
• Jerramungup
• Cranbrook
• Ongerup
• Frankland

 
Towns under Water Deficiency Declaration

 A declaration is implemented after continued dry conditions have depleted on-farm and community water supplies. Water Deficiency Declarations are requested by Local Government Authorities to help address emergency animal welfare needs and protect the interests of local farmers. 

Water carting arrangements for a Water Deficiency Declaration (i.e., stock water) are managed by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) with support from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) and Water Corporation.  

Separate Water Deficiency Declarations are currently in place for Salmon Gums and Grass Patch in the Shire of Esperance. As such, Water Corporation is currently carting stock water on behalf of DWER to Salmon Gums and Grass Patch.  

Water Corporation is working closely with the DWER to understand and plan for any new Water Deficiency Declarations. 

As part of our response to assist towns under a Water Deficiency Declaration, on behalf of the State Government and the DWER carting of stock water for animal welfare is underway to: 

Fixed standpipes

Farming businesses needing stock water to replace depleted on-farm supplies are encouraged to contact their Local Government Authority (LGA) in the first instance. 

Shire offices can provide advice on the supply access. Some supplies may need swipe cards to be issued by the Shire to enable access. Where on-farm water is unavailable, Shire standpipes may provide stock water and water for spraying and other uses. 

Where on-farm and strategic community water resources are not available, stock water can be obtained from regional Shire fixed standpipes. 

Water for spraying and other purposes can also be made available through Shire standpipes. Due to the high volumes required, and the potential impact on other users connected to our schemes, access must only be via high-capacity standpipes. 

Water is made available through Shire standpipes/tanks connected to our schemes for short-term emergency use, and it is important to be aware that standpipes should not be relied on a sole source of water as they can be subject to interruption. If water is needed for domestic purposes, it is important to have alternative arrangements in place. 

We may have to temporarily restrict standpipes to preserve the safety and integrity of public drinking water supply schemes. In this instance, Shires will be provided with as much notice as possible so they can advise their standpipe users.

Standpipe locations

Find out more about using a fixed standpipe in regional Western Australia. 

Other dry season resources

Drought Response WA (WA State Government)

Rural water support (Department of Water and Environmental Regulation)

Season 2024: Information for WA farmers (Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development)