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About water in Australia

Changes in rainfall
& water systems

Water for cities
- State by State

Water for farmers

Water for the environment

References

Perth, Western Australia

Perth's water supply is unique to all other Australian cities, in that it is the only one that derives the majority of its drinking water from ground water sources. The Gnangara Mound is a vast ground water resource that supplies up to 60% of the cities water supply (CSIRO 2003). Other water sources include bottle water, which currently supplies 6% of the cities drinking water (ABS 2003).

In addition to Adelaide, Perth is one of the most vulnerable cities for securing future water supplies under human-induced climate change. This has become particularly event with an observed trend of drier than average winters over the past 25 years (CSIRO 2003).

At current, none of the 44 surface water management units and 44 of the 174 groundwater management units are classified as being highly or overdeveloped (DEH 2005). In addition, water restrictions have been applied to the city since 2001.

Changes in rainfall & water systems: WA