Ord
Future

Table 1 shows that at 30 June 2011 there was a surplus of available water assets over water liabilities and future commitments expected to be settled within 12 months of the reporting date.

Table 1. Future prospects for Ord region

	Volume (ML)
Total water assets as at 30 June 2011	15,148,491
Less water assets not available to be accessed, taken or delivered:
Dead storage	411,175
Conveyance water	0
Subtotal	14,737,316
Less total water liabilities as at 30 June 2011	307,704
Subtotal	14,429,612
Less future water commitments expected to be settled within 12 months of the reporting date
Expected diversion of surface water	160,000
Expected extraction of groundwater	8,000
Expected releases of environmental water provisions	2,000,000
Subtotal	2,168,000
Surplus/(deficit) of available water assets over water liabilities and future water commitments expected to be settled within 12 months of the reporting date	12,261,612

Expected diversions, extractions and releases of water are based on abstractions made during the 2010–11 year. High rainfall during the 2010–11 year resulted in higher storage levels across the region compared to previous years. As a consequence, more surface water is available in the region for all purposes.

Based on recent data (last 10 years), future inflows to surface water storages in the region are likely to be between 2,000,000 ML and 3,000,000 ML per year. Future water commitments in the Ord region are likely to be met by future water inflows.

The purpose of this note is to report on possible water asset and possible water liabilities for the region. Possible (or contingent) water assets and water liabilities arise from past events and may be confirmed if future events, that are not fully under the control of the region's management occur.

 

The non-extractable portion of groundwater is considered to be a contingent water asset and is subject to development of groundwater resources in the region. Currently, there is insufficient information on groundwater resources in the region to estimate the volume available.

 

Water for irrigation (80,000 to 120,000 ML): The Ord River Irrigation Area is currently undergoing expansion. It is estimated that an additional 80,000 to 120,000 ML will be required for new licences for irrigation in the next three years. The amount of water required is subject to land sales and development in the irrigation area, and subsequent approval of licence applications by the Western Australian Department of Water.

Water for urban (public water) supply (500 ML): With the expected development of the Ord River Irrigation Area, there may also be some expansion of urban areas in the immediate area. It is estimated that an additional 500 ML will be required for public water supply. The amount of water required is subject to land sales and urban development.

Both of these contingent liabilities are within the limits set by the Western Australian Department of Water in the Ord Surface Water Allocation Plan: for public comment  (Department of Water, 2012).