Water security top of mind for farmers

AS WATER is becoming a major concern for farmers in regional Victoria, many are taking the opportunity to desilt dams while others are looking at longer-term projects such as sinking a bore to drought proof their farms stock water supply.

Many bores are sunk across Victoria every year, with some generate good quantities of water, but others produce small amounts of water, or water that is high in salt or other impurities.

Agriculture Victoria land management extension officer Clem Sturmfels said sinking a bore was expensive, so was important landholders did their homework before engaging a drilling contractor.

“Landholders should review the depth, yield and quality of water in their area before applying for a groundwater license from the relevant water authority.

“Check out existing bores in your area to review the depth, yield and quality of water by accessing the online interactive map, Visualising Victoria’s Groundwater.”

This map allows the user to zoom in to their farm and turn on various coloured layers which indicate the likely depth, yield and quality of water in the area.

The map is based on drillers’ records of approximately 300,000 bores sunk over the past 130 years across Victoria.

Mr Sturmfels said that while underground water existed across much of Victoria, its depth, quality and yield varied enormously.

“The highly complex nature of Victoria’s geology means the quantity, quality and yield of water can change within a very short distance.”

For more information about accessing groundwater, head to the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action website at deeca.vic.gov.au