Water
Farm water supplies may become low over summer. It is important to:
- Assess available water supplies and quality and bulk up water into as few remaining larger and deeper dams as possible.
- Calculate a water budget for livestock – before problems develop.
- Test all dams and bores being used for livestock and spraying as water quality (salinity) may not be suitable as levels drop.
- Groundwater desalination on farms in Western Australia: Please remember that you must submit a notice of intent to drain or pump water – desalination (NOI), together with the neighbour comments, to the Commissioner of Soil and Land Conservation at least 90 days before intended discharge.
- Plan now for maintenance of dams and roaded catchments.
If you think you are likely to become water deficient within the next 4 weeks, discuss your situation with your Local Government Authority (LGA), or contact the DWER rural water planning team on 1800 780 300, ruralwater@dwer.wa.gov.au or visit DWER’s Rural water planning webpage.
Where on-farm and strategic community water resources are not available, stock water can be obtained from regional Shire fixed standpipes. Refer to Water Corporation information and standpipe maps for Great Southern and South West.