Water Manager
Licensing
In Western Australia, water is a precious resource, and accessing it legally and sustainably requires the right licensing. Water licensing is essential for anyone tapping into proclaimed groundwater resources, or aquifers, for farming or commercial water use.
At BD Water, we simplify the water licensing process, helping you secure the necessary licences to abstract and use water in compliance with local regulations. With our expertise in the Western Australian water market, we guide you through every step of the process, from applying for new licences to managing existing ones and trading water allocations. We handle the paperwork, liaise with the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER), and make sure your water needs are met legally and efficiently.
Water Headaches Solved
Navigating the Complexities of Water Licensing with Ease
Water licensing is a critical part of managing water resources in Western Australia. But for most people, the process is confusing, time-consuming, and full of red tape. That’s where we come in. At BD Water, we simplify water licensing, helping you obtain the licenses you need to legally and efficiently access water.
Water Trading
Find water trades in the water resource you're allowed to trade with for a specific property, and let us handle the trading process with DWER.
Compliance Services
Not sure what you need to do between the regulations, local management plans and licence conditions? We can handle those and help you stay compliant.
Strategy Consulting
If you have a project that needs water, we can help consult on the best strategy to acquire water, drill and use groundwater in the most efficient way.
What is a Water Licence?
A groundwater licence GWL grants the legal right to extract a specified amount of water from a groundwater source.
Whether you're irrigating crops, using water for livestock, or running an industrial operation, you’ll need a licence if your water use is commercial or if turf exceeds an irrigated area of 2,000 sqm. Most businesses require a water licence if they use bore water for their operation, farms, schools, and so on.
In Western Australia, water licensing is regulated by DWER, and they oversee how much water can be extracted from specific water resources to ensure long-term sustainability. Licences have a specific allocation volume to be used per year, are assigned to a property, and for a specific aquifer.
Whether you're irrigating crops, using water for livestock, or running an industrial operation, you’ll need a licence if your water use is commercial or if turf exceeds an irrigated area of 2,000 sqm. Most businesses require a water licence if they use bore water for their operation, farms, schools, and so on.
In Western Australia, water licensing is regulated by DWER, and they oversee how much water can be extracted from specific water resources to ensure long-term sustainability. Licences have a specific allocation volume to be used per year, are assigned to a property, and for a specific aquifer.
Have questions on this? 1300 239 283
The Basics of Water Licensing
The first step in applying for a license is understanding your water needs.
Water licensing can feel like a bureaucratic maze, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the regulations. BD Water takes the complexity out of this process. From determining the right type of license for your property to compiling and submitting the necessary documentation, we manage the entire application for you.
So, are there different types of licences?
Yes. The first question is whether you are looking for a licence to drill a bore or to use that bore. A 26D or CAW licence allows you to drill and construct one or more new bores. A GWL groundwater licence is used to abstract a certain volume of water each year, from a specific water resource and aquifer, and on a given property. GWL licences are what is most commonly referred to as a water licence, these can be traded and generally have strict compliance requirements.
Lodging applications and liaising with DWER
Submitting an application to DWER is doable - the difficulty is in submitting an application has the correct technical detail to give us the best chance of a positive outcome. Beyond preparing the necessary forms, liaising with DWER and ensuring that all information is accurate and up to date can be an ongoing challenge. BD Water has years of experience with this, so you can be confident that your application is handled at a high standard.
Tell me about water trading
Water trading allows you to either sell portions of your licence you no longer require but have historically used, or buy additional allocations to meet your growing water needs.
Our Water Manager platform makes this process even easier. It’s a user-friendly platform designed to connect buyers and sellers of water licences within Western Australia anonymously, so people can reach water trading agreements that suit them.
We Take the Worry Out of Water Licensing
Owning a water license is an ongoing responsibility, and BD Water is here to help you manage your license effectively. Whether you need to renew a license, update your water allocation, or comply with new regulatory requirements, we make sure that your licences are always in order.
We also stay on top of changes in water regulations, ensuring that your water use is always compliant with the latest rules. Water policies can change, and failing to adhere to new regulations could result in fines or even the loss of your license. With BD Water by your side, you’ll never have to worry about keeping up with the latest developments - we handle it all for you.
Call Now: 1300 239 283
Seamless Water licensing
Navigating the water licensing landscape can be challenging, but BD Water makes it simple. Our team has extensive knowledge of Western Australia’s water regulations, making sure you understand the licensing requirements that apply to you.
Integrated service
From initial consultation to licence approval, integrating with irrigation and bore systems, we take care of the entire process and provide a comprehensive solution for your water requirements.
Trading expertise
Whether you need to sell part of your allocation or buy additional water resources, we guide you through the process smoothly with our Water Manager platform.
Ongoing compliance
The world of water licensing is dynamic, with regulations that can shift as environmental conditions change. BD Water is committed to keeping you compliant and informed.
Our Customers
What our clients and drillers say about us.
BD Water strives to build relationships that last. And what our people say about us means a lot.
We make water simple, and we do that from the first supplier to the final consumer.
Sallyann Bailey
Director, Nateis Contracting
David Saunders
Operations Manager, Purely Commercials