Aquaculture Groundwater Resource Atlas

Why an Aquaculture Groundwater Resource Atlas?

This web page was created for the Aquaculture Council of Western Australia in partnership with the Department of Fisheries, Water and Rivers Commission, and the Aquaculture Development Council in order to provide information on groundwater resources and their availability for aquaculture purposes.

Who is it for?

This web page is for landholders and developers with an interest in developing inland or coastal aquaculture using a groundwater supply.

Acknowledgement

Funding was provided by the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries through the Aquaculture Development Fund.

Information provided

You can find information on:

• aquifer locations and descriptions
• borehole yields
• groundwater salinity
• salinity measurement
• groundwater temperature
• groundwater chemistry
• long term average rainfall and evaporation
• sinking a bore for aquaculture development
• contacts for further information and assistance

This web resource gives a descriptive overview of groundwater resources in Western Australia that may be suitable for aquaculture.

How to use the page

Click on the relevant links, buttons or maps to obtain the required information. Select the back button to access the last screen. Select print to produce a report of the screen being viewed.

Feedback on the working of this page can be given to the Webmaster by clicking on the feedback button.

Disclaimer

The generalised groundwater information in this web site is intended to outline the likely quantity and quality of groundwater at a given location for the development of aquaculture. Specific information regarding aquifer thicknesses, bore yields and groundwater quality in many areas should be sought by telephoning or emailing the Water & Rivers Commission's Information Officer with the site location details on (08) 9278 0580 and groundwater@wrc.wa.gov.au.

A properly designed, drilled, constructed and tested bore is essential to ensure a long term supply of groundwater of suitable quality.

Geological terms explained

Geological and hydrogeological terms are defined in the Glossary on Water and Rivers Commission's web site accessed through the ‘Glossary' button.

What next?

If this web page indicates that aquaculture development is a potentially viable option on your land, further information can be obtained from the following sources:

1. Geological Survey 1:250,000 scale geological maps may be obtained from www.doir.wa.gov.au.
2. Hydrogeological and groundwater salinity maps are available on www.wrc.wa.gov.au/ARCIMS site.
3. Published reports referred to in the text for your area. References to published reports on groundwater are given in the form of Author (date). The full reference, giving the title and publication details are found in the ‘Bibliography of Published Reports on Groundwater in Western Australia' on Water and Rivers Commission's web site, accessed through the ‘Bibliography' button.
   References to unpublished reports are given in the form Author (date) Hydrogeology Report. These reports are available from the Librarian, Water and Rivers Commission on (08) 9278 0726 or library@wrc.wa.gov.au.
4. Explanatory notes for hydrogeological maps of selected parts of Western Australia can be obtained from the Water & Rivers Commission's publication web page link to publications.
5. Obtain a map and listing of bores in the locality of your area of interest, along with bore yields and groundwater chemistry. Please request specific data to be sent to you direct www.wrc.wa.gov.au/waterinf/wric/datarequestpage.asp. Alternatively you may contact the Water & Rivers Commission Information Officer with a map reference on (08) 9278 0580 or on waterinfo@wrc.wa.gov.au.
6. You may find information on water analysis laboratories by looking in the Yellow pages for "Analyst" or "Environmental Consultants". Your contacts will advise you on how to take water samples from local pumping bores and how to then send the samples for analysis to see if the water quality meets your needs.
7. If local bore yields and water quality appear favourable contact your Regional Water & Rivers Commission office with a location reference for advice regarding the potential to develop a groundwater bore for aquaculture www.wrc.wa.gov.au/region/index.html. Is groundwater in your area licensable? If so, is the groundwater resource still available for allocation?
8. Still interested? More information can be gained from the Aquaculture web page.