Gingin Water Group Inc.
Gingin Brook and its tributaries are one of the State’s river systems most impacted by the drying climate.
Gingin Brook is losing connection with underlying groundwater aquifers. This means that even in years with good rainfall, flows in Gingin Brook are likely to be low, particularly in summer.
As a result of the drying climate, the most important sections of the brook are those still in connection with underlying groundwater aquifers and receiving year-round streamflows. These areas continue to support a variety of water-dependent flora and fauna species and provide water for irrigated agriculture and domestic use.
Due to the complex interactions between surface water and groundwater throughout the Gingin Brook catchment, both groundwater and surface water users contribute to streamflow decline and have a role to play in protecting the system as climate dries.
This is a particular issue during summer where streamflow is provided primarily by groundwater discharge and flows are at their lowest.
During the summer months, flows in Gingin and Lennard brooks are approaching the minimum level that supports the life cycles of water-dependent flora and fauna.
High levels of water use from multiple users, coinciding at similar times during hot weather, can exacerbate the impact of already low flows on stream health and water available for other users.
It is of particular importance that water users and the community work together, particularly during the summer months, to minimise impacts to streamflow, the environment and other water users. This can be achieved by:
• Only taking what you need from the brook (or your bore) and speaking to Perth NRM or DPIRD regarding how you can be more efficient with your water use.
• Spreading your water use throughout the week and talking with your neighbours about staggering your pumping on different days or times to reduce the effect on flow in the brook. Simultaneous pumping over weekends has been a recurring issue in the past with water levels only recovering midway through the following week.
• Using online streamflow gauging data (Gingin Townsite, Lennard Brook or Gingin Brook near Moore River) to assess your watering requirements on specific days and considering how you may be able to preserve flows during this time. This includes bore owners taking water from shallow and deep aquifers up to 600 metres from the brook which can affect streamflow.
• Looking to see if there is enough flow remaining for downstream water users and the environment.
• Preventing stock access to the stream on your property which will improve water quality and the overall ecological health of the system.
It is important water users and the community work together, with government to aid the protection of the regionally significant values of Gingin Brook.
