Stormwater consists of rainfall runoff and any material, soluble or insoluble, that gets swept up in its flow. Stormwater is a term used to describe water flowing over ground surfaces and in natural streams and drains as a direct result of rainfall over a catchment. Information on the department’s role in relation to the shale and tight gas industry. There are 166 estuaries in Western Australia as established through the National Land and Water Resources Audit (NLWRA) 2000, where an estuary is defined as IrrigationĬlick here for information on types of irrigators, licenses and the role of irrigation as an economic enabler for industry. Rivers and estuaries and their importance including information on monitoring and assessing waterways, protecting, understanding, planning, restoring, and risks and threats. Water qualityĬlick here for information about water quality, including public drinking water source areas, salinity, brochures, fact sheets and best management practices for various land uses and activities to help protect water quality and public health. Surface water, like rivers and streams used for public water supply, self-supply, irrigation, recreation and hydropower and rainfall and streamflow monitoring, catchment modelling and flood studies to manage surface water. Information on the state’s groundwater resources, locations, investigations, aquifer recharge and sustainable management of water resources, including an overview of state groundwater investigations. The Department of Water invites you to share your ideas on creating innovative solutions to water challenges. Integrated water and land use planning based on the principles of total water cycle management. Information, advice and management of flood plans based on flood behaviour research and floodplain mapping for the state's major rivers. Rural water supportĬlick here to apply for rebates and grants for farmers, pastoralists and rural communities to improve local water supplies and for information about assistance to help farmers access water during dry seasons. Information about ensuring sustainable water supplies for the state’s population and industries, including the Water for Growth and Water for Food programs. Information about allocation plans, which set out how much water can be reliably taken from groundwater and surface water sources for productive purposes while ensuring the sustainability of the resource and protection of the water-dependent environment. Finding new water resources, including Royalties for Regions-funded programs and other drilling programs to explore resources across the state.