The Department of Water administers two Acts that provide for the granting of Licences to undertake relevant works:
- Licences to take water under the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914; and
- Licences to clear native vegetation under the Country Areas Water Supply Act 1947 (CAWS Act).
These Acts are found on the State Law Publisher’s website.
Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914
The Department of Water is responsible for managing the State’s water resources. By issuing licences and permits under the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914 (RIWI), the Department protects the State’s water resources and promotes the sustainable and efficient use of water.
RIWI licensing is active in all proclaimed areas and for all artesian groundwater wells throughout the State. There are 45 groundwater and 22 surface water management areas proclaimed under the RIWI Act. New licences are only issued where the allocation limit has not been reached. This ensures the protection of the interests of existing users and the environment.
Licensing – proclaimed and unproclaimed areas
Proclaimed Areas
In proclaimed areas under the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914 it is illegal to take water from a watercourse or groundwater aquifer without a licence. Applications for water licenses are made through our regional offices. A licence does not guarantee that water is always available to be taken. During drought periods restrictions are applied so that the available water is shared and damage to the environment, the resource and users is minimised. Conditions are placed to define how and when water may be taken and to specify obligations the licence holder must meet when using the water.
Proclaimed Groundwater Areas
Proclaimed Surface Water Areas
Unproclaimed Areas
Water can be taken from watercourses in unproclaimed areas without a licence so long as the flow is not "sensibly" diminished, affecting the rights of downstream users. If conflicts arise, we can issue a direction defining the amount, the purpose and the way water may be taken.
Water can be taken in unproclaimed groundwater areas without a licence so long as the draw is not from an artesian aquifer.
Country Areas Water Supply Act 1947
The clearing of native vegetation in Western Australia is primarily authorised by the granting of a Permit under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (EP Act) administered by the Department of Environment and Conservation. If an EP Act exemption applies in a Country Area Water Supply Act 1947 (CAWS Act) controlled catchment, or if compensation has previously been paid to retain the subject vegetation, a CAWS Act clearing Licence is required. Land owners or occupiers considering clearing native vegetation in the catchments listed below should in the first instance contact the Department of Environment and Conservation to ascertain whether an EP Act Permit or CAWSA Licence is required. If advised that a CAWS Act licence is required contact the nearest DoW Regional Office to obtain a Form 1 “Application for Licence”
Country Areas Water Supply Act 1947 controlled catchments
Mundaring Weir catchment area
Wellington Dam catchment area
Harris River Dam catchment crea
Warren River water reserve
Kent River water reserve
Denmark River catchment area
Map of CAWS Act Controlled Catchments