Water Resources Minister Ernie Bridge has asked the Water Authority to re-assess the volume of water available to Wyndham, after conducting a personal assessment of the supply sources at Moochalabra Dam and King River.
Wyndham was placed on water restrictions in June following a severe dry spell which failed to adequately recharge the King River and Moochalabra water sources.
Mr Bridge flew to Moochalabra and the King River by helicopter this week to make a first-hand assessment of the water sources available to the town.
"Following that inspection, which showed a sizeable quantity of water, I have taken steps to ensure the Water Authority makes an immediate re-assessment of the water supplies available to the town," he said.
"The water restrictions imposed on Wyndham place the community under significant hardship, and if there is any capacity to review those restrictions due to the water savings made by the town, then that should be done immediately."
Meanwhile, Mr Bridge said other measures to further secure Wyndham's water supply were being pursued. This included:
· repairs to the Mount Dixon tank;
· installation of separate inlet and outlet pipes from Moochalabra Dam, to be completed by late November, to maximise use of the dam;
· installation of a new pump in the King River pools; and
· action by the Shire of Wyndham to use effluent from the waste water treatment plant for watering ovals and public open spaces.
"The local community has also been extremely responsible in acting to reduce water consumption where possible, and deserve great credit for their actions," the Minister said.
The Water Authority was also currently reviewing the water supply scheme for the town, looking at long-term options such as construction of a pipeline from the Ord River, assessment of groundwater sources in the region, and increasing the capacity of the King River pool.
"Considerable work is being done, and I am confident this multi-pronged approach will ultimately lead to Wyndham's water supply being assured," Mr Bridge said.
