FUNDING TO MONITOR GROUNDWATER USE

The ACT’s capacity to better manage and monitor its precious groundwater resource has been given a boost with an allocation of $160,000 for observation and monitoring bores, Chief Minister and Minister for the Environment Jon Stanhope said today.

“The funding will allow the installation of observation bores in the four priority sub-catchments in the ACT, at Lake Burley Griffin, Woden, Fyshwick and the Woolshed site near the airport,” Mr Stanhope said.

“Management of groundwater is currently based on modelled data and a precautionary approach. We have only limited knowledge of the processes that affect our local aquifers. In particular, we know little about the effect on our aquifers of drought and the abstraction of water by individuals with bores on their properties.

“The observation bores will give us a better understanding of what is happening in our aquifers, including the impact of existing water licence holders.”  

Mr Stanhope said the demand for groundwater was increasing, with waiting lists for licences for all four sub-catchments. 

“The ACT Government is committed to the sustainable management of the ACT’s water resources, and importantly, that includes groundwater,” Mr Stanhope said.  “Under the Think water, act water strategy we are working towards some important water conservation targets.  However, we need to know a lot more about our underground water supplies and this funding will improve our understanding of this largely invisible part of our water supply.”
Statement ends