The Western Australian Department of Water has announced it will be conducting an aerial survey of the South West region to gain valuable insights into the area’s underground water resources.

To be conducted Monday next week, the airborne electromagnetic survey will cover an area extending 20 kilometres inland and along the coast from Dunsborough to south of Bunbury and from Augusta to Doggerup creek.

It is expected to take about two weeks, depending on weather conditions.

The survey has been commissioned by the Department of Water in partnership with Geoscience Australia. It has received funding from an allocation of $12.82 million from the State Government’s Royalties for Regions program for the four year initiative to assess, plan and investigate regional water availability in Western Australia.

Department of Water Director General Maree De Lacey said people will see a plane flying approximately 120m above the ground with survey equipment slung below.

“The equipment will send an electromagnetic pulse into the ground and the return signal will provide important information about local groundwater systems such as the geology, interaction with the seawater and water table depth,” Ms De Lacey said.