The project
WaterSmart Farms is a $1.5m, 3-year project to research sustainable groundwater supply options using on-farm desalinisation technology. Successful use of this technology using brackish groundwater will increase the ability of farms to weather dry seasons.
The project has three components:
- Understanding adoption of existing desalinisation plants that process brackish groundwater into a suitable resource for livestock, crop agronomy and other agribusiness activities ($200 000).
- Optimise desalinisation technology and its application in the Wheatbelt and Great Southern regions, including assessing the technology, economics and options for the disposal of RO reject water ($600 000).
- Undertake a targeted groundwater exploration program and where suitable, locate desalinisation trials ($700 000)
The project was initiated in response to growing industry requests to develop more climate resilient on-farm water supply options. The urgency for this work was highlighted by the number of water deficiency declarations over the last 3 years and a record 12 water deficiency declarations in 2020.
Dry conditions over the last 3 years meant that on-farm dams and more traditional water supplies were not meeting needs, resulting in an unsustainable demand on scheme water, and more than $3.3 million spent on carting emergency water supplies for livestock.
The WaterSmart Farms project builds on work over the past 3 years by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Water Corporation, Murdoch University and the Wheatbelt Development Commission to assess on-farm desalinisation infrastructure and the implications to businesses, regional economies and the environment.
The project involves relevant agencies, local government, farmers, grower groups and technology providers.