The Centre for Water Research has warned that Perth dams may run dry by the end of next summer in its latest report.

 

By which stage, the Centre warns, the city would become solely dependent on the use of the Gnangara Mound aquifer and the Kwinana desalination plant


The Centre found that even with an above average rainfall of 35 gigalitres, the city’s dams would still run dry.

 

"(Even) given recycled water, less water use, pumping the surface aquifer at Gnangara Mound a little bit more and hoping for rain, we'll basically have no water left at the end of summer 2012," said the Centre’s Director Professor Jorg Imberger.

 

Professor Imberger has blamed increased deforestation of the South-West area for the alarming decrease in reservoir catchments.

 

Further information about the work of the Centre for Water Research can be found at http://www.cwr.uwa.edu.au/