Defining the significance of domestic and stock groundwater use
| Objective: |
To create awareness of the need to manage domestic and stock groundwater use in certain instances, determine the hydrogeological environments in which this use is considered significant for management purposes and develop management guidelines on when and how this use impacts on water resources and when it needs to be more effectively managed. |
| Funding: |
Up to $165,000 plus applicable GST. |
| Jurisdiction: | National |
| Commencing: | March 2010 |
| Completion: | September 2011 |
About the project
This project will review the current regulation of domestic and stock groundwater use in Australia and define the significance of domestic and stock groundwater use in a range of water systems. It will develop criteria to assess the significance of domestic and stock groundwater use, including an assessment of the magnitude of combined domestic and stock use as a proportion of total groundwater extraction.
The project outcomes will be used by jurisdictional water planners and managers to inform future National Water Initiative (NWI) compliant management decisions.
Project benefits
The project will provide a better understanding of the hydrogeological environments in which domestic and stock use of groundwater is significant. It will develop management guidelines for when and how domestic and stock groundwater use impacts on water resources, and make recommendations on when domestic and stock groundwater use needs to be managed more effectively. The project recommendations will be supported by detailed case studies where appropriate.
Progress
July 2010
Classification of the hydrogeological systems and types of Stock & Domestic water use has been completed. A matrix to aid in systemically identifying the combinations of groundwater use and hydrogeological environments in which the need for closer management is likely to arise has been developed.