Western Australia state water information system
Project details
| Objective: | To develop a database platform to store water accounting use information and a range of biological data. The system will be a single repository for physical, chemical and biological water parameters held by the WA Department of Water. |
| Funding: | $536,000 |
| Jurisdiction: | WA |
| Commenced: | June 2008 |
| Completed: | August 2010 |
About the project
The State Water Information System (SWIS) provides a single access point for water information from various agencies, and also provides a national model for the integration of physical, chemical, biological, economic and social water parameters. This system does not include the entitlements registry system for WA.
The SWIS consists of two components:
- A Biological module - which is integrated with existing state water information systems so that a single query can extract water quantity, quality and biological information. A classification system was developed to standardise how biological information is recorded in the database, which has led to more useful, accurate and complete analysis.
- A Water Accounting Data Management module system - which assists DoW in managing in excess of 13,000 commercial water user licensees.
The Water Accounting Data Management module is value adding to water accounting and water resource management by providing ready access to actual water usage figures.
Additionally, a process has been developed to create Best Estimate of Abstraction Datasets (BEADs). This combines the new metering database with licensed allocation figures for management areas. BEADs are used for water accounting, groundwater modelling and water allocation planning purposes.
With many Western Australian water management areas at, or approaching, full allocation, the project is enabling a more rigorous and accurate understanding of water use across the state.
Project benefits
The project will support the implementation of National Water Initiative particularly in water accounting and planning. It demonstrates an approach to the integration of water accounting and resource data into one system, with the prospect for broader uptake in other jurisdictions.