Progress in the development of a water-care ethic for the Pilbara region of Western Australia

Mining towns in the Pilbara region of Western Australia have daunting problems that hamper efforts to apply water-conservation techniques: compacted heavy clay water-shedding soils, an evaporation rate ten times the mean annual rainfall (less than 300 mm), summer temperatures above 40°C, and long periods without rain. Town water supplies are drawn mainly from underground sources. Until recently, domestic consumption was heavily subsidised, and water was used copiously to create gardens reminiscent of a less harsh environment. Since the boom times, mining companies have adopted more realistic policies on private and public water use. With the introduction of home-ownership schemes, they replaced water subsidies with generous incentives to convert gardens to low-water use. Major reductions in water consumption were achieved: 50 per cent in Dampier (entire town) between 1985 and 1990; 38 per cent in Karratha (households only) between 1980-81 and 1990; and 39 per cent in Wickham (households only) between 1984 and 1990. Some important community-based initiatives were developed in the 1980s: native-plant nurseries, arid landscaping for remote Aboriginal communities, demonstration garden projects, and horticultural courses and programs to help disadvantaged people to acquire work skills. Recent government water-care initiatives have included establishing the Pilbara Water Conservation Advisory Committee, the first of its kind in Western Australia. With support from the Water Authority in Karratha, the committee is undertaking a community education program. The support of industry, through funding and personal involvement, contributes to the success of local projects. Professionals could contribute further by applying their skills and experience to public education, research, trials, demonstrations, and workshops. The funding of regional and local projects and research, the establishment of water-conservation committees, liaison with local groups, and promotion of a holistic environmental ethic are all appropriate activities for the State and Federal Governments. The approach to land care provides a good model for the development of a water-care ethic for the Pilbara region. The problems which made land care, and now water care, necessary have their roots in attitudes to the whole environment. The issue of water conservation cannot be tackled in isolation from other conservation issues .