Water crisis spreads to Shire of Jerramungup with water to be carted from Mt Barker, Bremer Bay and Tambellup

The north of the Shire of Jerramungup has become the sixth area in WA to be declared water deficient as it head towards its driest two-year period on record.

Water Minister Dave Kelly announced today that Grass Patch in the Shire of Esperance and the “northern part of the Shire of Jerramungup” had been added to the list of water deficiencies.

From tomorrow, water will be carted to the corner of Monash Avenue and the Gnowangerup-Jerramungup Road to reduce the distance farmers have to travel for emergency livestock water.

The water will come from Mt Barker, Tambellup and Bremer Bay, among other locations.

Farmers receiving the water have been asked to work together to ensure the emergency resource is shared equitably so everyone can maintain stock welfare.

The water deficiency declaration stems from an application made on behalf of 19 farmers in the north of the Shire of Jerramungup.

A declaration is made as a last resort after continued dry conditions have depleted on-farm and State managed community water supplies.

Four other water deficiencies have already been declared in the nearby shires of Lake Grace, Kent and Ravensthorpe.

“Jerramungup normally receives an average rainfall of more than 430mm a year, so far this year it has only received 263mm,” Mr Kelly said.

“This makes it on track to record its third lowest annual rainfall on record. Its second lowest was last year and it's likely the past 24 months will be the driest two-year period on record.

“While we are committed to providing water to declared areas of water deficiency, it is also critical farming communities work together and support each other to ensure that emergency water is used in a fair, respectful and restrained manner.

“Climate change is having a significant impact on this region, which is why the State Government is working closely with local governments and farmers to bring new water sources online and maintain access to existing supplies.”