Overview
Groundwater is a reserve of water beneath the earth's surface in pores and crevices of rocks and soil. Recharge of groundwater aquifers is slow and can take many years. Groundwater often supports wetland and stream ecosystems.
Under the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914 there are 45 proclaimed groundwater areas in Western Australia where licences are required to construct or alter a well and to take groundwater. The Department of Water is responsible for managing proclaimed areas under the Act.
Availability
A groundwater allocation may not always be available. The relevant regional office of the Department of Water should be contacted early in the planning phase to determine whether the proposal is within a proclaimed groundwater area and requires licensing and also to determine if sufficient groundwater is available for allocation.