Responding to climate change

Our public drinking water supply schemes have been affected by the same climatic conditions as those impacting farming and other businesses in the Great Southern area.

As a result, we are undertaking measures to secure water supplies into the future. 

Water carting

Carting occurs across the State when needed for small towns where the local water scheme relies heavily on rainfall.

When water sources reach a low level, water carting is considered the most cost-effective solution, as often there are only a small number of properties, and the cost to connect to a larger scheme far exceeds the cost of temporary carting.

Once the town’s own water supply begins to recover, carting will stop and the town is again supplied through its own local scheme.

We are carting drinking water to the following towns due to low storage levels in local dams:

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

Other schemes we are monitoring

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

Towns under a Water Deficiency Declaration

A declaration can be 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 that require stock water as a replacement for depleted on-farm supplies are encouraged to seek water from local strategic community water resources in the first instance. Local Government Authority (LGA) Shire offices are best placed to provide advice on these supplies. Some supplies might require swipe cards to be issued by the Shire to enable access.

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.

Shire standpipes map

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)